Gerson's contract with Flamengo was terminated following the player's request for resignation and unilateral termination. Zenit Saint-Pétersbourg paid the full release clause amounting to 25 million euros. Gerson joined Zenit where he found several Brazilian teammates, aiming to help Zenit reclaim the championship after their six-year title streak was broken last year by FK Krasnodar.

Gerson is expected to leave Flamengo due to the club's need to adjust their squad after new acquisitions. The club has signed new players to cover for the departures of players like Gerson.