Brenner (footballer, born 2000)

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Souzaand the second or paternal family name is Silva.

Brenner

Brenner with FC Cincinnati in 2022
Personal information
Full name	Brenner Souza da Silva
Date of birth	(2000-01-16) 16 January 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth	Cuiabá, Brazil
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Udinese
Number	22
Youth career
2011–2017	São Paulo
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–2021	São Paulo	38	(13)
2019	→ Fluminense (loan)	5	(0)
2021–2023	FC Cincinnati	70	(27)
2023–	Udinese	2	(0)
International career‡
2015–2017	Brazil U17	11	(4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 7 October 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13 June 2018

Brenner Souza da Silva (born 16 January 2000), more commonly known as Brenner, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Serie A club Udinese.

Club career

São Paulo

Born in Cuiabá, Brenner joined the youth academy at São Paulo in 2011. ^[1] Prior to the 2017 season, Brenner was called into the club's first team by coach Dorival Júnior. ^[1] He made his senior competitive debut for São Paulo on 21 June 2017 in Série A as a 76th-minute substitute against Athletico Paranaense, São Paulo losing 1–0. ^[2] Brenner then scored his first professional goal on 3 December 2017, scoring the opening goal in a 1–1 draw against Bahia. ^[3] He finished his first season, scoring just once in four matches. ^[4] The next season, Brenner scored one goal in nine matches in the Campeonato Paulista and scored a goal in six matches in Série A, finding himself mainly used as an option off the bench. ^[4]

On 31 May 2019, Brenner was loaned to fellow Série A side Fluminense. ^[5] He stated that working with then head coach Fernando Diniz "weighed heavily" on his choice to move to the club. ^[5] He made his debut for Fluminense on 2 June 2019 against Athletico Paranaense, coming on as a 78th-minute substitute in the 3–0 away defeat. ^[6] He returned to São Paulo after the season ended, appearing in just six matches without scoring a goal. ^[1]

2020 season

In January 2020, Brenner returned to São Paulo, who were now coached by his former coach at Fluminense, Fernando Diniz. ^[7] Brenner credited Diniz for encouraging him to return to the club and believing in him despite not finding regular minutes for São Paulo or Fluminense up to that point. ^[7] On 22 January, he made his first appearance since returning to the club in a 2–0 victory over Água Santa in the Campeonato Paulista. ^[8] He then scored his first goal of the season in their 1–1 draw against Novorizontino, scoring the equalizer in the 86th minute. ^[9] In March 2020, the season was paused in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to that, Brenner continued to be used sparingly, unable to breakthrough for São Paulo against first choice forwards, Alexandre Pato and Pablo. ^[10]

On 26 July 2020, São Paulo made their return to the pitch, with Brenner starting in the 3–1 victory over Guarani. ^[11] In August, following the departure of Pato, Brenner began finding more chances in Fernando Diniz's team. ^[10] He scored his first Série A goal of the season in his first league appearance on 30 August, scoring in the 2nd minute of second half stoppage time against Corinthians to win the match 2–1. ^[12] He then scored the equalizer for São Paulo in their 3–1 home victory over Brenner's former club Fluminense on 6 September 2020. ^[13] On 17 September 2020, Brenner made his debut in the Copa Libertadores against River Plate, coming on as a substitute in a 2–2 draw. ^[14] In the following match, on 22 September, he scored his first goal in the competition against Ecuadorian side L.D.U. Quito, scoring in the 60th minute of a 4–2 away defeat. ^[15]

In October, Brenner broke-through as a starter for São Paulo after original starter, Pablo, scored just one goal from 10 matches. ^[16] On 7 October 2020, Brenner scored a brace in the club's 3–0 Série A victory over Goianiense before scoring another brace on 14 October in the Copa do Brasil against Fortaleza, drawing 3–3. ^{[17] [18]} He continued his amazing scoring run between 20 October and 1 November, scoring in four straight matches, including two braces against Fortaleza in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil and against Argentine club Lanús in the Copa Sudamericana. ^[19]

On 11 November 2020, Brenner scored a brace against Flamengo, becoming São Paulo's top goalscorer in a season since 2015 with 17 goals in 26 matches at that point. ^[10] He also developed a goalscoring relationship with new signing Luciano, who had 11 goals at that point, combining to make 28 between him and Brenner, which was also 50% of São Paulo's goals that season. ^[20] On 3 December, after going four matches without a goal, Brenner scored the second in a 3–0 victory over Goiás, a key result in the Série A title race. ^[21] After a brace against Botafogo on 9 December and Fluminense on 26 December, Brenner helped São Paulo enter 2021 at the top of the table, seven points ahead of second placed Atlético Mineiro. ^{[22] [23]} Unfortunately, in January 2021, Brenner was unable to find the back of the net in six matches, as São Paulo lost four and drew two matches, pushing the club down to fourth in the table. ^{[24] [25]} Fernando Diniz would soon be removed as head coach on 1 February 2021. ^[26]

When Brenner signed with FC Cincinnati, he finished the 2020 season with 22 goals in 44 appearances. ^[27]

FC Cincinnati

On 5 February 2021, São Paulo agreed to transfer Brenner to Major League Soccer club FC Cincinnati (FCC). ^[28] The move was officially announced by FCC on 9 February, with Brenner joining the club as a young designated player for an incoming transfer fee of $13 million, the fourth highest in MLS history. ^{[29] [30]}

Brenner made his debut in FCC's opening match away at Nashville SC on 17 April 2021, scoring the team's second goal from the penalty spot in the 12th minute of a 2–2 draw. ^[31] On 17 July, Brenner scored his first goals from open play, netting a brace in his side's 5–4 away defeat to CF Montréal. ^[32]

By 2022, for reasons publicly undisclosed, Brenner had become unhappy at Cincinnati and requested a transfer. His request was not met and he remained with FCC for the duration of the 2022–23 season, leading the team with 18 goals, including 3 hat-tricks, and helping them secure their first ever playoff berth. Brenner still wanted out, however, and reiterated his transfer request in early 2023. ^[33]

Udinese Calcio

On 26 April 2023, Brenner was transferred for $10 million to Serie A side Udinese and signed a 5-year contract that will see him with the Italian side through to the 2027–28 season. ^{[33] [34]} He will remain with Cincinnati until the European summer transfer window opens in July. His final MLS game is July 1 at home against the New England Revolution. ^[35]

International career

In February 2017, Brenner was included by coach Carlos Amadeu in the Brazil under-17 team for the South American U-17 Championship. ^[36] On 4 March, he scored the opener in Brazil's 2–0 victory over Argentina. ^[37] In September 2017, Brenner was included in the Brazil squad for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in India. ^[38] He scored in Brazil's final group stage match against Niger, his 34th-minute goal helping Brazil win 2–0. ^[39] In the Round of 16, Brenner scored a brace against Honduras as Brazil won 3–0. ^[40]

Career statistics

As of match played 12 June 2023 ^[4]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
São Paulo	2017	Série A	4	1	—		—		—		4	1
	2018	Série A	6	1	3	1	2	0	9 [lower-alpha 1]	1	20	3
	2019	Série A	1	0	—		—		5 [lower-alpha 1]	0	6	0
	2020	Série A	27	11	6	6	6	4	5 [lower-alpha 1]	1	44	22
	Total		38	13	9	7	8	4	19	2	74	26
Fluminense (loan)	2019	Série A	5	0	1	0	—		—		6	0
FC Cincinnati	2021	Major League Soccer	33	8	—		—		—		33	8
	2022	Major League Soccer	29	18	0	0	—		2 [lower-alpha 2]	0	31	18
	2023	Major League Soccer	8	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	1
	Total		70	27	0	0	0	0	2	0	72	27
Career total			113	40	10	7	8	4	21	2	152	53

Honours

Brazil U17

• South American U-17 Championship: 2017 ^[4]

Notes

1. Appearances in Campeonato Paulista
2. Appearances in MLS Cup Playoffs

References

1. Gault, Matthew (17 November 2020). "Who is Brenner? The £45m Brazilian wonderkid linked with Arsenal transfer". Football London. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
2. "Athletico Paranaense 1–0 São Paulo". Soccerway.
3. "São Paulo 1–1 Bahia". Soccerway.
4. Brenner at Soccerway
5. "Fluminense apresenta atacante Brenner, emprestado pelo São Paulo". Gazeta Esportiva. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
6. "Athletico Paranaense 3–0 Fluminense". Soccerway.
7. Bydlowski, Mendel (13 December 2020). "Brenner põe Diniz como 'pilar da vida' e revela o que ouviu do técnico antes de brilhar pelo São Paulo". ESPN Brazil. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
8. "São Paulo 2–0 Água Santa". Soccerway.
9. "São Paulo 1–1 Novorizontino". Soccerway.
10. "Brenner é o maior artilheiro do São Paulo em uma temporada desde 2015". Goal Brazil. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
11. "Guarani 1–3 São Paulo". Soccerway.
12. "São Paulo 2–1 Corinthians". Soccerway.
13. "São Paulo 3–1 Fluminense". Soccerway.
14. "São Paulo 2–2 River Plate". Soccerway.
15. "L.D.U Quito 4–2 São Paulo". Soccerway.
16. "Brenner, Luciano e Pablo são responsáveis por quase metade dos gols do São Paulo em 2020". Globo. 21 November 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
17. "São Paulo 3–0 Goianiense". Soccerway.
18. "São Paulo 3–3 Fortaleza". Soccerway.
19. Dias, Vanessa (4 November 2020). "Brenner pode superar a marca de Calleri e outros artilheiros do SPFC". arqtricolor. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
20. "50% dos gols do São Paulo no Brasileirão são marcados por Brenner e Luciano". gazetaesportiva. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
21. "Can Corinthians Stop High-Flying São Paulo?". World Football Index. 12 December 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
22. "São Paulo 4–0 Botafogo". Soccerway.
23. "Com dois de Brenner, São Paulo derrota Fluminense no Maracanã". Agencia Brasil. 26 December 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
24. Borges, Murilo (23 January 2021). "Brasileirão: Brenner empaca, não marca há quase um mês e retrata derrocada do São Paulo na reta final". ESPN Brazil. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
25. "Jogadores se despedem de Diniz no São Paulo; Luciano diz: "Um dos caras que mais respeito e admiro"". Globo. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
26. "Sao Paulo fire coach Diniz after poor run". Yahoo Sports. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
27. "São Paulo vende Brenner ao FC Cincinnati, da MLS". Yahoo Sports BR. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
28. "São Paulo agrees to sell Brenner to FC Cincinnati". São Paulo FC (Twitter).
29. Creditor, Avi (9 February 2021). "FC Cincinnati Signs Brazilian Rising Talent Brenner for Lofty Transfer Fee". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
30. Bogert, Tom (11 February 2022). "Top 12 most expensive incoming transfers in MLS history". mlssoccer.com. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
31. Brennan, Pat (17 April 2021). "FC Cincinnati ties Nashville SC, 2-2, to open 2021 MLS season". Cincinnati Enquirer.
32. Brennan, Pat (17 July 2021). "FC Cincinnati stunned in 5-4 loss at CF Montreal: 'We cannot lose this game'". Cincinnati Enquirer.
33. Brennan, Pat (26 April 2023). "FC Cincinnati's Brenner officially headed for Italian club Udinese in transfer deal". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
34. AFP (26 April 2023). "Udinese sign Brazilian Brenner from MLS's Cincinnati". Yahoo! Sport. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
35. MLSsoccer staff (26 April 2023). "Official: FC Cincinnati's Brenner completes club-record transfer to Udinese". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
36. "Técnico Amadeu define grupo para Sul-Americano". CBF. 16 February 2017. Archived from the original on 22 February 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
37. "Brazil U17 2–0 Argentina U17". Soccerway.
38. "Seleção Sub-17 está convocada para o Mundial". CBF. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
39. "Niger U17 0–2 Brazil U17". Soccerway.
40. "Brazil U17 3–0 Honduras U17". Soccerway.

External links

• Profile at FC Cincinnati