Ederson Santana De Moraes: Biography, Net Worth, Career, And Transfer History

If you’ve watched Manchester City play in the last few years, you’ve probably seen a tall, heavily tattooed Brazilian at the back, pinging long passes like a midfielder and diving for saves like a superhero. That’s Ederson Santana de Moraes — or simply Ederson to fans all over the world.

Now, Ederson isn’t just any goalkeeper. He’s part shot-stopper, part playmaker, and part brick wall. But his journey to football greatness didn’t happen overnight. This is the story of a boy from Brazil who took the long road to the top — and made it look effortless.

Let’s break it down — from his biography and career moves to his net worth and the money trail of his transfers.

Humble Beginnings in Brazil

Ederson was born on 17 August 1993 in Osasco, a bustling city in the São Paulo metropolitan area. Growing up in Brazil, football wasn’t just a sport — it was a way of life. Like most Brazilian kids, he kicked a ball around before he could even read properly.

At 16, he got his first real taste of professional football life when São Paulo FC brought him into their youth system in 2008. For a teenager, that’s the dream: training at one of Brazil’s most famous clubs. But fate had bigger plans — and they led him thousands of miles away from home.

The First Big Move – Benfica’s Youth Academy

In 2009, Ederson moved to Portugal to join Benfica’s youth academy. Imagine that — a teenager leaving his home country, family, and friends to chase a football dream in Europe. It wasn’t easy, and after two years, Benfica released him. For many young players, that could’ve been the end of the dream. But Ederson? He just took it as a detour.

Starting from the Bottom – Ribeirão

After leaving Benfica’s youth setup, Ederson signed with GD Ribeirão in 2011. It was a small club in Portugal’s lower divisions, the kind where players have to prove themselves every single match to get noticed. And Ederson did exactly that, racking up 29 appearances in just one season.

His performances caught the eye of a Primeira Liga club — and his journey began to gather momentum.

Climbing the Ladder – Rio Ave Days

In 2012, Ederson joined Rio Ave in Portugal’s top division. This was where he truly started making a name for himself. Over three seasons, he made more than 60 appearances in all competitions, helping Rio Ave reach the finals of both the Portuguese Cup and League Cup in the 2013–14 season.

Now, they didn’t win those finals, but Ederson’s performances were impossible to ignore. He had the reflexes, the confidence, and — most importantly — the calmness under pressure. Bigger clubs started paying attention again.

Back to Benfica – The Breakthrough

In 2015, Benfica came calling again, this time for their senior team. They paid about €0.5 million to bring him back from Rio Ave. At first, Ederson was the backup to Julio César, a fellow Brazilian and experienced veteran.

But in football, opportunities come when you least expect them. In March 2016, Julio César got injured, and Ederson stepped in against Sporting CP in one of the biggest matches in Portugal. He kept a clean sheet in a 1–0 win, instantly winning the hearts of Benfica fans.

By the next season, he was Benfica’s undisputed number one, helping them win a league and cup double. His mix of lightning-fast reactions and laser-accurate long passes made him stand out. Scouts from across Europe started circling — and one club in particular couldn’t resist.

The Big Premier League Leap – Manchester City

In the summer of 2017, Manchester City and Pep Guardiola decided Ederson was the missing piece in their squad. They splashed about €40 million (around £35 million at the time) to bring him in — making him one of the most expensive goalkeepers in football history.

From day one, he was Pep’s number one. His debut in the Premier League came in August 2017 against Brighton, and it was a clean sheet — the first of many.

Since then, Ederson has been a rock at the back for City, winning:

• 6 Premier League titles (and counting)

• 2 FA Cups

• 4 League Cups

• 1 Champions League (finally, in 2023)

• 1 FIFA Club World Cup

• 1 UEFA Super Cup

And let’s not forget his personal achievements — multiple Premier League Golden Glove awards for most clean sheets, plus recognition as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

What Makes Ederson Special

Most goalkeepers focus purely on stopping shots. Ederson does that — but he’s also like an extra midfielder. His passing range is ridiculous. We’re talking 60-yard pinpoint balls to a winger’s feet, or clever short passes that start City’s attacks.

Pep Guardiola once said having Ederson means his team can play higher up the pitch because they trust him to deal with balls over the top. And let’s be real — the man has ice in his veins. Pressure? He treats it like a casual training drill.

International Career with Brazil

Playing for the Brazil national team is no small feat, especially when you’re competing with another world-class keeper like Alisson Becker. Since making his debut in 2017, Ederson has been part of Brazil’s squads for:

• The 2018 and 2022 World Cups

• The 2019 Copa América (which Brazil won)

• The 2021 Copa América (where Brazil finished runner-up)

He might not always start ahead of Alisson, but when he does, Brazil’s style becomes even more possession-oriented — thanks to his passing.

Transfer History – The Money Trail

Here’s how Ederson’s career moves look in numbers:

Total career transfer fees: €40.5 million. Not bad for a kid who started in Brazil’s youth leagues.

Ederson’s Net Worth – The Financial Side

Now, let’s talk numbers. Playing for Manchester City isn’t just about lifting trophies — it’s also about earning serious money. Ederson reportedly earns about £100,000 per week, which works out to over £5 million a year just from his salary.

Over his City career so far, that adds up to more than £35 million in wages alone. Add endorsements and sponsorships (from sports brands and lifestyle companies), and his total net worth is estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars.

Recent Transfer Rumors

In 2024, rumors flew around about Saudi Arabian clubs offering Ederson mega-money to move. Manchester City, of course, didn’t want to lose him easily, and Ederson himself said a chat with Pep Guardiola was enough to convince him to stay.

In 2025, there were whispers about interest from Galatasaray in Turkey, but nothing concrete came of it. With his contract running until 2026, City still has the upper hand.

The Legacy He’s Building

At just 32 years old (as of 2025), Ederson still has years left at the top. Goalkeepers often play well into their late 30s, and with his style — less about crazy diving saves and more about smart positioning — he could be City’s number one for years to come.

More than just a keeper, Ederson has redefined what it means to play the position. Young goalkeepers now practice long-range passing because of him. Fans chant his name not just after a save, but after a perfectly executed assist-level pass.

From Osasco to Manchester, from a small Portuguese club to Champions League glory, Ederson’s story is one of persistence, skill, and believing in yourself even when the odds seem stacked.

Final Thoughts

When you watch Ederson play, you’re seeing more than just a guy in gloves stopping shots. You’re seeing a football revolutionary — someone who’s changed how the modern goalkeeper role is viewed. His journey reminds us that rejection isn’t the end; sometimes, it’s just the beginning of a better path.

So the next time you see him ping a 70-yard pass to Haaland or make a fingertip save in the dying minutes, remember: that’s the same boy who once got released from a youth academy but refused to give up. And now? He’s living the dream on the biggest stage of all.