Marcelo and Thiago Silva’s teammate: Fluminense U-20 top scorer moves to Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan’s second division (Pro League) side Kattakurgan have completed a surprise move for Fluminense U-20’s top scorer in 2024, Isac Martins.

The 20-year-old Brazilian attacking midfielder has signed a one-year contract with an option to extend. The clause could be activated if the club earns promotion — a clear objective set by the management ahead of the new season.

Isac is a product of SKA Brasil. In 2023, he helped the club’s U-20 side reach the play-offs of the Copa Sao Paulo de Futebol Junior — better known as the Copinha, Brazil’s most prestigious youth tournament — scoring three goals in five matches. Speaking to Eurasia Football, the player said he had also received call-ups to Brazil’s youth national teams for friendly matches. His performances attracted the attention of Fluminense scouts, and the Rio-based club signed him on loan for a year.

In 2024, Isac scored eight goals for Fluminense’s U-20 side, finishing as the team’s top scorer and helping them win the U-20 Rio Cup. One of his teammates during that period was midfielder Isaque, who later joined Shakhtar Donetsk in a reported €10 million transfer. At various stages of the season, the two competed for a place in the lineup and went on to become close friends.

In early 2025, head coach Marcao invited both players to train with the senior squad during the club’s pre-season camp. They were later included in matchday squads. Reflecting on that period, Isac Martins told Eurasia Football:

“Training at Fluminense was intense and dynamic, and I learned a lot from world-class players such as Felipe Melo, Thiago Silva, Marcelo, Jhon Arias and others.”

Fluminense decided to extend his loan agreement until 2026, and the player hoped to establish himself at senior level. However, amid frequent coaching changes, Isac found first-team opportunities limited and left Fluminense at the end of his loan spell.

Meanwhile, Isaque completed a move to Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer of 2025 and has since delivered consistent performances, with head coach Arda Turan describing him as a “gem”.

Isac has now opted for a new challenge in Uzbekistan, where he will try to relaunch his career at senior level.

Eurasia Football also spoke with the player’s agent, Farrukh Saifullaev, who facilitated the transfer:

“He is undoubtedly a promising player. He proved himself at one of Brazil’s top clubs. This move was completed with the help of the Maracana agency, which works with Latin American footballers, including Uruguayan defender Mauro Brazil, who recently signed for Dynamo Samarkand.

“Isac reads the game well, can deliver a sharp line-breaking pass and has a good shot. He can operate centrally or on the flank as an inside forward. Kattakurgan are building their squad sensibly. Head coach Erkin Nazarov has experience in the Uzbek Super League and knows how to work with young players. I personally care about this project, as I am from that region. He even brought Asadbek Beglarkhonov back from Romania.The head coach is focused on players with experience at a higher level”.

The Uzbek Pro League season kicks off in March and will feature 14 clubs. Kattakurgan are considered one of the contenders for promotion.