Sávio Moreira de Oliveira made an immediate impact on his Tottenham debut, scoring in the 82nd minute as Spurs defeated Charlton Athletic 5-1 in the Carabao Cup. The Brazilian winger had come off the bench in the 71st minute, giving him just 11 minutes on the pitch before opening his Tottenham account.There was something else that caught the eye before he even took to the pitch, though. Tottenham’s new No. 17 is not wearing the name Manchester City supporters became accustomed to seeing.The player previously known as Savinho has returned to Sávio.
Sávio or Savinho: what is his real name?
The Brazilian’s full name is Sávio Moreira de Oliveira, and Sávio is the name now appearing on the back of his Tottenham shirt.It is not the first time he has changed the name he uses on his jersey.Sávio began his career at Atlético Mineiro before moving to French side Troyes in 2022. His breakthrough came during a loan spell at Girona, where he scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists and earned his first Brazil call-up.At Girona, however, the name printed on his No. 16 shirt was Sávio.When he moved to Manchester City in 2024, that changed to Savinho.
Why did he use Savinho at Manchester City?
Sávio actually explained the decision himself shortly after arriving at City.The Brazilian said the change was connected to his first involvement with the Brazil national team, where he was given the name Savinho on his shirt.“[My name change] is because in the national team, the first call-up they put Savinho on the shirt,” he said in July 2024.He also explained the difference between how he was known by people around Girona and what appeared on his shirt there.“People in Girona knew me more as Savinho, it was just written Sávio on the shirt, you know?“So I told [City] to put Savinho on the shirt and I hope it brings me luck too, this name Savinho.”That meant the name Savinho became closely associated with his first season at Manchester City, where he produced 13 assists in his debut campaign in England.His second season was less productive, however. He fell out of favour under Pep Guardiola and made only 13 starts in all competitions before eventually moving on.
Why has he gone back to Sávio at Tottenham?
This time, the change has gone in the opposite direction.Tottenham’s new signing has requested to be referred to as Sávio, with that name now printed on his No. 17 shirt.There has been no official explanation from either the club or the player specifically addressing why he has chosen to return to Sávio. What the available background does show is that this is a name he was already using before his move to Manchester City, meaning the Tottenham switch represents a return rather than an entirely new choice.The timing also gives the change a natural connection with his new chapter.Sávio has left City after one season at the club and joined Tottenham in a deal reported at £85 million ($116 million).And now, before he has even had time to settle into north London, he has already put his new name on the scoresheet.
A debut that could not have gone much better
The name change would have been an interesting detail on its own, but Sávio’s first appearance has immediately given it a little more significance.After entering the game in the 71st minute, he did not take long to introduce himself. His goal came in the 82nd minute, when he cut in from the right and calmly found the bottom corner to make it 4-1 and putting his own name on the scoresheet for the first time in a Spurs shirt.Three minutes later, he appeared to have another.Sávio tried his luck again and the ball found the net after taking a heavy deflection off Ben Davies. What initially looked like a second goal for the debutant was subsequently credited to Davies instead.Sávio therefore finished the night with one goal and one assist, playing a part in Tottenham’s emphatic 5-1 victory and their progression to the third round of the Carabao Cup.For a player beginning a new chapter after leaving Manchester City, it was an especially encouraging first appearance, and he did it under the name he has now chosen to carry into that chapter: Sávio.