Four-time English champions Manchester City have completed the signing of highly-rated midfielder and Brazilian Under-20s international Douglas Luiz from Campeonato Serie A side Vasco De Gama, the Premier League club announced on Saturday.
Manchester City have not disclosed the transfer fee they paid Vasco De Gama but it is understood the Citizens parted ways with no less than £10-million to land their target.
“We are pleased to welcome Douglas,” Director of Football Txiki Berigistain said in his club’s official website.
“He is an exciting player with great potential, and everyone here is looking forward to helping him develop his talent and progress in the game,” the club official added.
So who exactly is Douglas Luiz?
The 19-year-old Douglas Luiz hails from the colorful city of Rio de Janeiro, joining the ranks of local club Vasco De Gama when he was just 13. Since then, he has improved his game and progressed well as a budding footballer, earning him a spot in the club’s first team last year.
He has earned rave reviews from scouts and pundits last season, with his intelligence and passing skills earning him a spot in the Campeonato Carioca, Rio de Janeiro’s annual state league, 2017 Team of the Year.
The up-and-coming midfielder has made a total 24 appearances for Vasco De Gama last season, scoring three goals.
The greenhorn midfielder is also no stranger to the international stage. Luiz is a full-fledged Brazil Under-20s international, with five youth caps to his name.
While he certainly won’t be thrust immediately into Manchester City’s first team next season, Luiz is definitely one to watch. The club, for their part, have already made plans to ensure the young midfielder’s progress, saying they “will make a further statement about Douglas’ immediate development pathway in the coming days.”
That pathway appears to be a season-long loan with La Liga side Girona.