Braga signs new forward at zero cost: Samy Merheg signs until 2028 and is already training with the first team.

Braga has once again entered the market with discretion… and effectiveness. The arsenalists officially announced on Tuesday the signing of Samy Merheg, a 19-year-old striker, who arrives on a free transfer from Deportivo Pereira, in a deal that combines a future investment with a clear potential for appreciation.

The forward has signed a contract valid for two and a half seasons, until 2028, with an option for an additional two years, a clear sign of the confidence the club has in his potential.

A young, international, and secured forward

Samy Merheg, who will wear the number 11 for the arsenalists, was born in Colombia but also holds Lebanese nationality, having already represented Lebanon internationally, with 11 appearances for the national team.

Braga has secured the new signing with a release clause set at 40 million euros, a figure that reflects the ambition associated with the signing and the perceived growth potential of the player.

Already integrated into the working group

Although the official announcement has only just been made, Samy Merheg has already been working with the first team of SC Braga for several days, speeding up the adaptation process to Portuguese football and the demands of the new competitive environment.

The early integration reinforces the idea that the forward is not only arriving as a medium-term investment but also as an option to be closely monitored by the coach from the outset.

Numbers that support the investment

In the last season playing for Deportivo Pereira, Merheg posted consistent numbers:

• 29 matches played in 2025
• 8 goals scored
• 2 assists

These are notable records for a player just 19 years old, who caught the attention of the Braga scouting department and ultimately secured a move to European football without any transfer fees.

Braga continues to look at alternative markets

With this signing, Braga reinforces a strategy that has yielded results in recent years: identifying young talent in less mainstream markets, securing long contracts, and creating assets with sporting and financial potential.

Samy Merheg arrives without the labels of a star, but with room for growth, international status, and ambition. In Braga, he will now have the ideal stage to make the leap.