Official: Ribeiro unveiled at new club after forcing Sundowns exit

Mamelodi Sundowns have officially lost arguably their best player for the last two seasons, Lucas Ribeiro.

The South American has been pushing for a move away from the reigning Premier Soccer League champions in search of a new challenge. Initially, Masandawana found it hard to let their prized asset, who had three years remaining in his current deal with them, but they failed to convince him to stay.

Flamengo, Pyramids and Qatar SC had been linked with the 26-year-old, but it is LaLiga 2 side Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa who have won the race to sign the versatile attacker, as confirmed on their platforms.

Ribeiro finds a new team after exit from Masandawana

“Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa has reached an agreement with Lucas Ribeiro for the incorporation of the player to the culturalist discipline,” the Spanish side confirmed on Friday afternoon.

“Lucas Ribeiro Costa [Saint Helena, 09/10/1998] is an attacking footballer who has developed his football career in countries such as Brazil, France, and Belgium. In his last stage, he played for South African Mamelodi Sundowns FC.

“He arrives in Leen as a free agent with a one-season deal. From Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa, we welcome Lucas Ribeiro to our club, wishing him the greatest success in his new stage in Leon,” the club concluded.

Costa was a menace in Mzansi last season, and he ended up winning the Premier Soccer League Footballer of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season, Goal of the Season, Golden Boot. He went an extra mile to win the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Goal of the Tournament.