Danilo Pereira leaves Rangers for Botafogo after NEC Nijmegen loan
N.E.C. Nijmegen loaned Brazilian midfielder Danilo Pereira for the second half of last season. Now the 27-year-old is set to leave Rangers for Botafogo after a deal was agreed between the two clubs. The transfer is nearly complete, with only final signatures still missing.
The agreement follows a verbal deal between Rangers and Botafogo. Danilo Pereira will join Botafogo on loan until June 2027. The Brazilian club also holds a performance-based option to make the move permanent. During his time at NEC Nijmegen, he scored once and provided one assist in twelve appearances. Across his spells at Rangers and N.E.C., he finished the 2025-26 season with five goals in forty matches.
What does this mean for N.E.C. Nijmegen?
For N.E.C. Nijmegen, Danilo Pereira’s departure is the natural next step after his loan spell. The club brought him in during the winter transfer window and saw a midfielder with Eredivisie experience. His impact was limited but included one goal and one assist in twelve games.
The club now faces the task of finding a replacement for the Brazilian. Danilo Pereira was one of the players who bolstered the squad during the winter transfer period. His exit leaves a gap, especially in terms of experience in the Dutch top flight.
Who will replace Danilo Pereira?
Botafogo sees Danilo Pereira as a chance to strengthen their attack. The Brazilian will compete with Arthur Cabral for a starting spot. At Rangers he rarely featured, but at N.E.C. Nijmegen he played regularly.
The question now is who N.E.C. Nijmegen will bring in to fill Danilo Pereira’s shoes. The club still has time to sign a new player before the new season kicks off. The focus is likely on a midfielder with Eredivisie experience.
What happens next?
Danilo Pereira’s move to Botafogo looks set to go through. Rangers are expected to confirm his departure within days unless a late setback occurs. For N.E.C. Nijmegen, this means the search for a new player is on.
The club still has time to find a replacement before the new campaign starts. Danilo Pereira’s exit highlights that N.E.C. Nijmegen remains a club where foreign players enjoy a spell. His output at the club was modest, but his Eredivisie experience remains valuable.
