Kauã Prates' Cruzeiro Game Time Dries Up After Dortmund Move Agreed

Kauã Prates, the 17-year-old Brazilian forward, has not played a single minute for Cruzeiro since his transfer to Borussia Dortmund was confirmed in February, according to reports. The young winger, who will join the German club in August when he turns 18, has seen his involvement at his current club diminish significantly following the announcement of his move to the Bundesliga. The transfer, which Sky Germany reports is worth a fee in the region of 12 million euros, was officially announced by Dortmund on February 19th.

Since the deal was made public, Prates has not featured for Cruzeiro in any competition. This marks a stark contrast to the period before the transfer was announced, when the teenager was a more regular presence, starting three of the five matches prior to the announcement. Dortmund's sporting director, Lars Ricken, has publicly expressed his enthusiasm for the signing, describing Prates as "one of the most talented players in South America" and an "excellent fit" for the club's philosophy.

Despite his absence at club level, Prates has remained active on the international stage, playing a central role for the Brazil Under-20 national team. He featured prominently in two recent U-20 friendlies against Paraguay, indicating his match fitness and sharpness have been maintained. The lack of domestic game time, however, could be a point of concern for Dortmund, who are investing in the player's long-term potential. The German club is understood to be monitoring the situation, as the lack of competitive minutes could impact the player's readiness for the physical and tactical demands of the Bundesliga.

The situation highlights a common challenge for clubs finalizing transfers for young talents, where a player's immediate prospects at his current club can diminish after a pre-agreed transfer is announced. For Dortmund, acquiring Prates is a long-term project, but they will be eager to see him gain as much high-level experience as possible before his summer arrival. The lack of recent game time at Cruzeiro could mean the 17-year-old requires a longer adaptation period upon his arrival in Germany to reach peak match fitness and rhythm.