Santos have announced they have paid off their €2 million ($2.3m) debt to AS Monaco with the financial help of Neymar's family company, thus lifting the club's transfer ban.
Monaco had reported the Brazilian club to FIFA last year after Santos had missed the final €2m instalment regarding the permanent transfer of Brazilian midfielder Jean Lucas.
FIFA ruled in May 2025 that Santos had 45 days to pay the outstanding amount plus €32,876 of interest to Monaco or be banned from registering new players, either nationally or internationally, up until the due amount is paid.
The maximum duration of the ban would be up to three entire and consecutive registration periods.
"Santos FC has paid off its transfer ban and is once again eligible to operate in the transfer market," a club statement said on Thursday.
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"The deal was made possible thanks to the support of NR Sports, under which the club receives an immediate injection of funds. In return, Santos FC and the company will jointly negotiate the rights to kit sponsorship that have not yet been sold."
NR Sports is a Brazilian sports marketing and image management company founded in 2006 by Neymar's parents to manage their son's career. Neymar, 34, returned to his boyhood club Santos in January 2025.
He helped the club avoid relegation last season and played for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup. Santos have won six of their 23 league games this season and are 14th in Brazil's top flight.
