Manchester City complete £30 million signing of Brazilian winger Savinho from Troyes
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Updated 18/07/2024 at 22:34 GMT+1
Premier League champions Manchester City have strengthened their squad with the signing of Savinho from French side Troyes for a reported £30 million fee. The player, who spent last season on loan at La Liga side Girona, is City's first signing of the summer ahead of the new season as they look to defend the Premier League title they have won for the last four years in a row.
Savinho promises 'joyful football’ after signing for Man City
Video credit: SNTV
Manchester City have completed their first signing of the summer with the capture of Brazilian winger Savinho from Troyes for a fee reported by the BBC as £30 million.
The Premier League champions secured the services of the highly rated 20-year-old on a five-year deal.
Having joined the Ligue 2 side in 2022, Savinho spent the 2023/24 campaign on loan at Girona, playing a key role in helping the Spanish side qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time.
“I’m excited about the chance to work under Pep Guardiola," he told the club website. "One of the greatest coaches ever, and someone I know will help me improve even more.
“I had an amazing time in Spain and I’m looking forward to a new challenge of playing in the Premier League and alongside some of the best players in the world.
“I can’t wait to meet the fans and my new team-mates and hopefully be a part of bringing more success to City.”
Savinho first moved to Europe from Atletico Mineiro in 2022, signing for Troyes, for whom he did not make a first-team appearance, before being loaned to PSV Eindhoven where he played eight times.
Last season saw Savinho announce himself to the world as a key part of the City Football group-owned Girona, helping the Catalan club finish third to secure Champions League football.
He started in 35 league games, playing in 37 overall, and ended the season with the third-highest assists in the league with 10.
He also pitched in with nine goals while playing on the left wing.
Stellar performances for the Liga club earned him his first senior call up to the Brazil national side in March to face England.
He has made seven appearances in total for his country, and scored his first international goal in Brazil's 4-1 win over Paraguay in the Copa America group stages.
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Despite signing for the French club as their record transfer, he never made an appearance for Troyes.
While UEFA forbids transfer activity taking place between clubs owned by the same group and playing in the same competition, the fact that Troyes were Savinho's parent club and not Girona, who will play in this year's Champions League with City, means that the Manchester side were free to conduct business.
City Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: “Savinho is a very exciting player and I think the City fans are really going to enjoy watching him.
“What he achieved last season at Girona was remarkable and he is already a full Brazil international. He has a big role to play for Manchester City this season and beyond.
“We are totally confident in his ability. He is still young and has the potential to become even better, and everyone knows that Pep is the best at helping players develop even further.
“But he has already shown his huge quality and technical ability and is an exciting addition to our attacking area.”
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