Shakhtar Donetsk has been pursuing a deal to sign 18-year-old Brazilian winger Ryan Roberto from Flamengo, with negotiations reportedly circling around a transfer fee of €10 million. The transfer would bring one of South America’s most exciting young players to the Ukrainian club, continuing Shakhtar’s long tradition of mining Brazilian talent.

Roberto, born March 5, 2008, is a left winger who has drawn comparisons to Vinicius Junior. In July 2025, when he was just 17, Barcelona made initial inquiries about the forward after he posted 20 goals and 14 assists across 33 U17 matches.

Standing at 1.78 meters, Roberto fits the mold of the modern wide forward. CSKA Moscow was also reportedly interested in acquiring Roberto in 2026, adding competitive pressure to the negotiations.

Flamengo attempted to extend Roberto’s contract, which runs until March 2027. Flamengo is expected to retain a 10% economic stake in Roberto as part of any deal.

Shakhtar’s Brazilian pipeline keeps flowing

Players like Willian, Fernandinho, Douglas Costa, and Fred all passed through Shakhtar Donetsk before moving to Europe’s biggest leagues. The Ukrainian club has navigated extraordinary circumstances since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, playing home matches in various European cities.

What this means for investors and the transfer market

Flamengo’s decision to retain a 10% economic stake rather than selling 100% of Roberto’s rights reflects a growing sophistication in how South American clubs approach transfers. If Roberto moves from Shakhtar to a Premier League or La Liga club in three years for €40 million or more, that 10% stake would become significant.

As of June 13, 2026, there has been no verified confirmation regarding the completion of a transfer.