New York City FC announced today that it has acquired Forward Luighi Hanri Sousa Santos on loan from Brazilian side SE Palmeiras through the 2026 season. The Club has an option to purchase Luighi at the end of the season. The Forward joins the Club as Major League Soccer’s U22 initiative.
The Brazilian arrives to New York City after making 45 appearances, scoring five goals, and tallying one assist across all-competitions with Palmeiras over the last three seasons. The 20-year-old has featured across four competitions for Palmeiras during the 2026 season, recording a goal in the second leg of the Club’s Copa do Brasil Round of 32 win, helping Palmeiras advance to the Round of 16 in the competition. The Brazilian has made appearances in the Copa Libertadores, Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, and played a supporting role in Palmeiras’ Campeonato Paulista title-winning campaign.
“We’re excited to welcome Luighi to New York City FC,” said Sporting Director Todd Dunivant. “Luighi adds another attacking threat to our front line, which will be crucial in the back half of the season.”
Before debuting for the First Team in July 2024, the Forward spent three seasons with Palmeiras U-20 side, making 32 appearances, recording 15 goals, and providing six assists. At the 2025 U-20 Copa Libertadores, the Brazilian tallied two goals and two assists across the tournament, guiding Palmeiras’ U-20 team to a Final appearance.
Other news - Focus
Other news
- 09:14 NYCFC Face Five Absences Ahead of Montréal Clash as O’Neill Remains a Doubt
- 09:09 Knicks Fall to 76ers 98–93 in NBA Cup Opener
- 14:00 Etihad Park Could Transform NYCFC Matchdays: What Fans Should Watch Next
- 13:00 NYCFC vs. Montréal: Three Questions That Could Shape New York’s Next Test
- 05:00 NYCFC Won Against Atlanta, but the Late Equalizer Still Deserves Attention
- 04:00 Nicolás Fernández Mercau Gives NYCFC a Crucial Set-Piece Option
- 03:00 Matt Freese Kept NYCFC in Contention Before Traoré Stole the Headlines
- 02:30 Knicks Trade Proposal Swaps Karl-Anthony Towns for Bam Adebayo
- 02:00 Alonso Martínez Injury Concern Forces NYCFC to Consider Its Attacking Alternatives
- 01:30 Knicks Expected to Decline Pacome Dadiet’s $5.37 Million Option: What It Means
- 01:00 NYCFC’s Playoff Hopes Survive: Why the Final Two Games Still Require Help
- 00:01 New York City FC Announces 2027 MLS Sprint Season Schedule
- 23:39 Bénie Traoré Delivers for NYCFC: Can His Stunning Winner Become a Turning Point?
- 09:00 NYC Marathon Preparations Accelerate as NYPD Announces Major Security Operation
- 08:46 Traoré’s Stoppage-Time Stunner Keeps NYCFC’s Playoff Hopes Alive
- 08:00 Brunson Scores 38 as Knicks Erase 19-Point Deficit to Beat Bulls
- 19:00 NYCFC vs Atlanta United: Five Signs That Would Show Real Progress
- 18:00 Has NYCFC Lost Its Identity? The Questions Behind a Difficult Season
- 17:24 Mikal Bridges Delivered From Deep While Jalen Brunson Found Another Way to Score
- 17:00 What Should NYCFC Prioritize When Planning Its Next Squad?
- 16:00 Which NYCFC Players Have the Most to Prove Before the Season Ends?
- 15:00 Three Games Left: What Would a Meaningful Finish Look Like for NYCFC?
- 14:00 Who Will Take Responsibility When NYCFC Needs It Most?
- 13:00 Why NYCFC Must Improve Its Management of Winning Positions
- 12:00 NYCFC vs Atlanta United Preview: New York Faces a Crucial Test as Time Runs Out
- 08:12 Karl-Anthony Towns Delivers a 27-Point, 20-Rebound Statement as Knicks Finally Win
- 05:00 Matt Freese’s Availability Could Shape NYCFC’s Final Stretch
- 04:00 Atlanta United Is Struggling Too—But NYCFC Cannot Afford Complacency
- 03:00 Four Home Wins: Why NYCFC Must Give Its Fans Something Back
- 02:00 What NYCFC Must Learn From Its Previous Atlanta United Disappointment
- 01:00 NYCFC Is Fighting to Avoid an Unwanted Place in Club History
- 00:01 Can NYCFC Still Reach the Playoffs? The Challenge Facing the Boys in Blue
- 22:30 NYCFC vs Atlanta United: A Must-Win Game for More Than Just the Playoffs
- 22:04 If Tomás Romero Starts, NYCFC Must Give Him Better Protection
- 21:37 NYCFC Faces Atlanta United With More Than Playoff Hopes on the Line
- 21:07 Karl-Anthony Towns Is Giving the Knicks a Reason to Rethink Their Offense
- 18:00 NYCFC Faces Matt Freese Injury Concern at a Crucial Moment
- 17:00 Tyler Kolek Gave the Knicks Nine Reasons to Look Again—But One Big Question Remains
- 16:00 NYCFC’s Next Transfer Window Should Start With These Three Questions
- 15:00 NYCFC II’s Playoff Exit Leaves a Bigger Question About the Club’s Future
- 14:00 NYCFC and the Red Bulls Have Another Battle Beyond Derby Day
- 13:00 The Costly Mistakes NYCFC Can No Longer Afford
- 09:00 Jalen Brunson Owns Late Mistakes as Knicks’ Shooting Woes Deepen
- 07:57 Harry Kane Wins the 2026 Ballon d’Or Ahead of Mbappé and Lamine Yamal
- 03:00 Jalen Brunson Takes Responsibility as Knicks’ Winless Start Exposes Costly Problems
- 02:00 Andrés Perea Offered NYCFC a Lifeline—Can the Midfield Deliver More?
- 01:00 NYCFC vs. Atlanta United: Three Questions That Could Define a Crucial Night
- 00:05 James Sands’ Message Highlights What NYCFC Need Under Pressure
- 23:00 NYCFC’s Attacking Problem Goes Beyond Missed Chances
- 22:30 Mitchell Robinson Sends Andre Drummond a Message After Knicks Benching
- 22:00 Pascal Jansen Faces NYCFC’s Biggest Question: Why Has Progress Stalled?
- 21:34 NYCFC’s Playoff Hopes Are Fading—Here’s What Must Change Now
- 21:31 Knicks’ Nightmare Start Deepens as Wagner’s Fourth-Quarter Explosion Sends Champions to 0-3
