In a surprising turn of events, Brazilian striker Alexandre "Alemão" Zurawski has parted ways with Pachuca only five weeks after he arrived from Real Oviedo. The 26-year-old forward was initially signed to be the replacement for Venezuelan striker Salomón Rondón, who left the club at the end of last season, but his stay in Mexico was cut short before he could make a significant impact.
Alemão arrived in Hidalgo with the expectation of becoming a key figure in the Tuzos’ attack. Known for his physical presence, aerial ability, and versatility in the final third, the Brazilian had previously played in Brazil’s Serie A with Internacional and later tested himself in Europe with Oviedo in Spain’s Segunda División.
At Pachuca, however, he struggled to adapt quickly to the pace and style of Liga MX. Despite participating in a handful of matches and showing flashes of his movement off the ball, he was unable to find the back of the net or cement himself as a starter.
For Pachuca, his early departure represents a setback in their search for a reliable striker to fill the void left by Rondón. The club now faces the challenge of reshaping its offensive line once again, as Alemão’s exit leaves them without the reinforcement they had planned for the Apertura 2025 campaign.
On the other hand, Alemão now joins Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga, a team known for its intense, fast-paced football and passionate fanbase. The Madrid-based club sees the Brazilian as a player who can provide depth in attack and complement their existing strikers. Rayo values his ability to press high, his work rate, and his knack for playing both centrally and on the wings when needed. If he adapts quickly, he could become a useful piece in their fight for consistency in Spain’s top flight.
For the striker, this move represents a second chance in European football and an opportunity to prove himself at a higher level after his brief and unexpected Mexican chapter. Fans of Rayo will be eager to see if Alemão can fulfill the potential that drew Pachuca to him in the first place, and whether he can establish himself as a steady goal-scoring option in LaLiga.
✍️ @alemao_zrwk9, nuevo jugador del Rayo Vallecano.
— Rayo Vallecano (@RayoVallecano) September 1, 2025
El delantero llega procedente del CF Pachuca. pic.twitter.com/oogh7PoZYV