Manchester City have finally completed the signing of Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus for a fee for £27m from Palmeiras.
The Brazil international, who scored twice on his debut for the national team, agreed a five year deal in August but stayed with Palmeiras to complete their season in December 2016.
Jesus arrived at City at the start of the month to train following a short break at the end of the Brazilian domestic season but his registration was delayed due to red-tape.
The home game against Tottenham might have come too soon for the 19-year-old but he may still come off the bench
City beat off Barcelona to secure the youngster, who has been described as the new Neymar, and cited the influence of City boss Pep Guardiola as a major factor in his decision to come to England.
On Pep, Jesus said: “He lives football 24 hours a day and I have come here to learn.
“He said he’d really like me to come, that I’d help the club a lot, help my teammates.
“I was very pleased and from the point I chose Manchester.
“I got it into my head that I was coming here to help and learn a lot.”
Choosing to come to Manchester, it’s hard to avoid talk of the English weather and Gabriel Jesus was impressed with the City, but has found the weather challenging so far – it’s a good thing it can only get better!
He said: “It’s very cold but it’s a manageable cold. It’s another challenge, but I’m enjoying it.
City’s Brazilian contingent was also pivotal in that decision to come, with Jesus praising Fernandinho’s support.
Jesus said: “He [Fernandinho] called me and we had a good chat. I liked what he told me about the city, about the club, the professionals who work here, the people, so I was very happy.
“That’s when I began to decide to come here. I was very comfortable with everything he told me and shortly after we met up with the national team and we talked.
“I’d already signed for City and I asked him everything, about cars, housing, everything, and he explained everything to me. He’s someone who is very important to my arrival at City.”
The devout Christian has selected the squad number 33, saying:
“It’s the number I’ve been wearing since I turned professional.
“It’s a number I ended up with and I really liked. I intend to wear it for many years.”
The pacy striker will aim to make a difference at the business end of the pitch to help City have a successful end to the season.
He said: “My dream in a City shirt is to win titles, to be happy and to make all Manchester City’s fans happy too. I’ve come here to help and to win titles.”