In a move that signals serious intent for the second half of the season, Fluminense officially announced the signing of forward Hulk this Tuesday. The 39-year-old former Atlético-MG star joins the “Tricolor” as the club’s premier reinforcement for the mid-year transfer window, having committed to a contract that runs through the end of 2027.
Fans will have to wait until after the 2026 World Cup to see the powerhouse attacker in action, as he can only be registered once the Brazilian transfer window reopens in July.
The journey to bring Hulk to Rio de Janeiro was a long-running saga that originally began in January. After initial talks stalled and were briefly declared dead, the Fluminense board reignited negotiations in recent weeks, successfully reaching an agreement with both the player and his former club.
Hulk arrived at the decision to move after rescinding his contract with Atlético-MG last Friday, meaning he joins Fluminense as a free agent with no transfer fee required.
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Hulk is scheduled to bid an emotional farewell to the Atlético-MG faithful this Sunday at the Arena MRV prior to their match against Botafogo.
While he will attend the stadium, he is not expected to play. Upon his arrival in Rio next week, he will take over the number 7 jersey—his signature number at “Galo.” To accommodate the star signing, Venezuelan winger Soteldo will switch from number 7 to number 30 following the World Cup break.
If his integration goes according to plan, the veteran forward is expected to make his debut for Fluminense during the week of July 22. His first match in the iconic maroon and green colors is likely to be against Bragantino in the 19th round of the Brasileirão. By adding a player of Hulk’s pedigree, Fluminense hopes to bolster its offensive line and capitalize on the veteran’s renowned physical strength and clinical finishing for the remainder of the 2026 campaign.
