Former Algeria international Bilal Brahimi signs for Santos FC 

Former Algeria international Bilal Brahimi has joined Santos FC, with the Brazilian club confirming the winger’s arrival on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old, previously with OGC Nice, agreed to a deal running until the end of the 2026 season after parting ways with the French side.

His move sees him step into one of South America’s most storied football institutions, a club renowned for its global reputation and rich tradition of producing legendary players.

Brahimi, who has also played for Belgian side Sint-Truiden and spent a second spell with Nice last summer, described the switch as a defining moment in his career.

I’m very happy to have this experience in Brazil. Joining a historic club like Santos is a great source of pride, he said in comments released via the club’s official X account.

At Santos, the Algerian winger will find himself alongside high-profile teammates, including Neymar Jr., who captains the team.

Sharing a dressing room with one of football’s modern icons represents both a challenge and a rare opportunity for Brahimi, who has expressed determination to prove himself in a league celebrated for its flair, technical quality and passionate following.

His transfer carries additional significance, as he becomes only the second Algerian to feature in the Brazilian top flight.

Islam Slimani blazed that trail in 2023 during his brief spell with Coritiba, where he recorded three goals and two assists in 11 appearances.

For Brahimi, the decision to head to Brazil marks a deliberate shift in his career trajectory.

After gaining experience in Europe’s competitive leagues, the winger is seeking a fresh start in an environment that has historically tested and elevated international talent.

The intensity and tactical demands of the Brazilian league will provide a new platform on which he hopes to showcase his abilities.

Santos, based in São Paulo, are one of Brazil’s most decorated clubs, synonymous with legends such as Pelé and Neymar.

Brahimi’s arrival underscores the club’s ambition to strengthen its attacking options as it looks to reclaim prominence both domestically and on the continental stage.

The move also resonates with Algerian supporters, who will see one of their players testing himself in an unfamiliar but prestigious footballing landscape.

For Brahimi, it is an opportunity to add a new chapter to his career while carrying the weight of representing Algerian football in South America.

With a contract that ties him to Santos until 2026, Brahimi now faces the task of adapting quickly, winning over fans, and proving he can thrive at a club where expectation and history are inseparable from every performance.