Bahia has moved forward with the sale of Tiago to Orlando City after turning down the first offer, and now the club has accepted a proposal that could reach six million euros. It’s a deal that changes the direction of both the team and the 20-year-old forward, who leaves Salvador just as he was finally establishing himself in the senior squad.
The transfer, which is set to become the third biggest sale in the club’s history, reinforces Bahia’s strategy of negotiating its talent well while still keeping a future stake in their value. With 25 percent of his rights retained, the club isn’t closing the door on potential earnings down the line.
Tiago leaves at the height of his emergence
Tiago’s rise in 2025 started with more minutes in the Baianão and quickly escalated when he became a standout in the Copa do Nordeste, finishing as top scorer and even netting a hat trick in the final. Those moments boosted the coaching staff’s confidence and opened the way for him to become an important piece in the second half of the season.
His extension through 2027 showed the club believed in him not only as a player but also as an asset. His 11 goals and three assists in 43 matches this season proved that his growth wasn’t a brief spark. He also broke a mark that hadn’t been reached by a homegrown Bahia player since 2012, which highlights how much potential the team is losing from a technical standpoint.
Orlando spots an opportunity and speeds up the deal
The move to Orlando City makes sense for several reasons. The club has kept a close eye on the South American market, and Tiago will become the tenth player from the continent in the squad, reinforcing a younger and more technical identity. It’s no coincidence that Orlando finished the latest MLS season with an average squad age of 23.5 years. Tiago, about to turn 21, fits that profile perfectly.
MLS teams also tend to target forwards who are still developing but already show room to grow and the ability to make an impact right away. Tiago checks both boxes. He has already shown he can decide games, yet he still has space to mature, add variety to his game and become the kind of signing that brings value on the field and potentially in the transfer market.
A great example of what this could become is Facundo Torres. A young South American talent, he left Peñarol, developed and stood out with the Lions, and eventually was sold for 12 million dollars after performing consistently through his three year contract with Orlando City.