Article by Alexandru Barbu, Răzvan Stamatiu – Published on Wednesday, 04 February 2026, 10:34 / Updated on Wednesday, 04 February 2026 10:42
Invited to GSP Live on Tuesday morning, Gabi Glăvan, the head of the scouting department of the American club Phoenix Rising, spoke about Paulo, the player recently transferred by FCSB from Oțelul Galati in exchange for the sum of 600,000 euros.
VIDEO | Gabi Glăvan described Joao Paulo, the new FCSB footballer: “An important native force, he doesn't get injured”
Glăvan, former official at FCSB, Dinamo, Rapid, praised the physical qualities of the international from the Cape Verde Islands. And score a Paulo guarantee.
“For me, Joao Paulo is a box-to-box player, number 8, that's his role.In addition to high strain capacity, it has significant native strength. He is a footballer who doesn't get injured anymore.
He comes from Sheriff Tiraspol, and in recent years this club is a guarantee for players from there, less Ankeye (no – the former striker from Rapid). Even the big teams, from the west of Europe, started to transfer footballers from Tiraspol. Also from Sheriff, he transferred Troyes in the summer, took Odede for 3 million”, stated Glăvan.
“Sheriff changes almost the entire lot every 6 months”
“Sheriff Tiraspol focuses a lot on African players, who come at young ages and for very little money. Sheriff trades a lot of players, once every 6 months it changes almost the whole batch. And look, it works, because it dominates the Moldovan championship”, added the GSP Live analyst.
Joao Paulo cannot debut at FCSB
Although the midfielder's transfer has been de facto resolved, there is a bureaucratic impediment for FCSB.
Joao Paulo is a non-EU player and, even if he has a work permit for Romania obtained from the period in which he performed at Oțelul Galați, the moment he changes the club, the documents must be redone. Until the new documents are ready, it may take a month, claims Gigi Becali, FCSB financier.
About Joao Paulo:
- 27 years old, Cape Verde;
- central midfielder;
- he also played left and extreme defender;
- 1 goal and 37 caps for the national team;
- will perform at the 2026 World Championship;
- 1 goal and 3 decisive assists in 22 matches at Oțelul;
- during his career he also played for Sporting Praia, Maria da Fonte, Leca, Feirense and Sheriff;
- €700,000 quote on Transfermarkt.
