Leonardo Buta has completed a permanent move from Udinese to Rio Ave, returning to Liga Portugal in a deal finalised between the Italian and Portuguese clubs. The 23-year-old left-back joins the Vila do Conde side with a current market value of €1.50m and is immediately available for selection after the transfer was registered on 2026-02-02. His contract with Rio Ave runs until 2026-06-30.
The switch ends Buta’s latest spell with Udinese, where he was on the books while experiencing a series of loans designed to accelerate his development. Although the fee for the transfer has not been disclosed, the move secures Rio Ave a player who has accumulated experience in both Serie A and Liga Portugal, as well as in Spain’s second tier with SD Eibar.
Born on 05 Jun 2002 in Águeda, the left-footed defender holds both Portuguese and Angolan nationality. He is listed primarily as a left-back, bringing height (1.82 m) and mobility to a position Rio Ave have been looking to strengthen. His arrival gives the club a defender entering what should be the prime years of his career, with the added benefit of familiarity with Portuguese football.
Buta’s career has followed a steady upward path through Portugal’s youth system. He came through the ranks at SL Benfica’s youth setup before moving to Anadia FC Sub-15, then on to Palmeiras FC U17. From there he progressed through successive SC Braga age groups — U17, U19, and U23 — eventually earning a place with SC Braga B. His performances at Braga’s reserve level helped attract Udinese, who completed his first move abroad from SC Braga B to Serie A in 2022.
In Italy, his value initially climbed, reaching €2.00m during his early Udinese period, reflecting how highly he was regarded. To gain regular minutes, he was loaned back to Portugal with Gil Vicente and later to Moreirense, both in Liga Portugal, before another loan to SD Eibar in Spain. Those spells gave him exposure to different tactical demands and competitive environments, even as his market value later settled back to €1.50m during his time with Eibar.
The latest transfer sees him return once more to Liga Portugal, this time with a permanent home at Rio Ave. Having already played in Portugal’s top flight, Italy’s Serie A and Spain, Buta adds a blend of domestic familiarity and international experience to his new club. His combination of youth, versatility on the left flank and prior league exposure suggests Rio Ave view him as a medium-term piece rather than a short-term stopgap.
Should he perform consistently through to the end of his current deal on 2026-06-30, Buta will have the opportunity to re-establish or even increase his market value, potentially setting up another move abroad or a longer stay in Portugal. For now, his confirmed arrival gives Rio Ave a modern attacking full-back profile and offers the Portugal/Angola dual national a clear platform to stabilise his career and shape the next phase of his professional trajectory.
