Cercle Brugge must replace wing‑back after Nazinho's Monaco move

Cercle Brugge now faces a vacancy at wing‑back after Portuguese Flavio Nazinho departs for AS Monaco, ending a three‑season spell that saw him become a key contributor. The club must find a replacement to maintain its defensive width and attacking support.

Nazinho logged 94 appearances for Cercle Brugge, contributing six goals and 16 assists, underscoring his importance on the flank. His departure therefore creates a tactical gap that the Belgian side will need to address before the next campaign.

The wing‑back arrived in 2023 on a season‑long loan from Sporting CP before Cercle Brugge secured his services permanently for roughly one million euro. The initial loan and subsequent purchase highlighted the club’s strategy of developing talent from Portuguese clubs.

He signed a contract with AS Monaco that runs until 2023, marking the first definitive transfer from Cercle Brugge since the French club became the main shareholder. The move reflects the deepening ties between the two organisations.

Transfer expert Sacha Tavolieri values the fee at five million euro, a sum that will bolster Cercle Brugge’s finances. Sporting CP retains a 15 % sell‑on clause, ensuring the Portuguese side also benefits from the deal.

"His transfer to AS Monaco is moreover an important milestone within the cooperation between both teams. Since the arrival of AS Monaco as main shareholder Flávio is the first player who makes the direct and definitive step from Cercle," the club statement read. The quote emphasizes the symbolic significance of the transaction.

Cercle Brugge now faces the task of sourcing a new wing‑back, either through the market or internal promotion, while integrating the incoming transfer fee into its budget. The club’s next steps will determine how it compensates for the loss on the pitch.