Bastos: Angola defender leaves Botafogo to become free agent

Angola centre-back Bastos has left Brazilian champions Botafogo and become a free agent after his contract with the Rio de Janeiro club came to an end. The 35-year-old, who was born in Luanda and stands at 1.84m, departs Botafogo after three seasons in Brazil, having most recently featured in Serie A and continental competition in 2026.

The right-footed defender joined Botafogo on a free transfer from Al-Ahli in August 2023 and went on to add major silverware to his career in South America. During his time with the club he was part of the squad that won the Copa Libertadores in 2023-24 and followed that with the Brazilian league title in 2024, as well as lifting the Taca Rio in the same campaign.

In the current year he has continued to feature across multiple fronts, making league, domestic cup and international appearances, including in the Copa do Brasil, Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana. His latest Serie A campaign saw him involved both as a starter and from the bench, while he remained a regular starter in key knockout fixtures.

Bastos arrived at Botafogo with extensive experience in Europe and the Middle East, having previously played for Lazio, Rostov, Al-Ain and Al-Ahli. His honours list also includes an Italian Cup and two Italian Super Cups with Lazio, as well as a Russian Cup win with Rostov and a Saudi Arabian second-tier title with Al-Ahli in 2022-23.

With his Botafogo spell now concluded, the Angola international defender is unattached and available to join a new club.