Manchester City Sign Palmeiras Defender Reis

Manchester City signed Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis for four-and-a-half years on Tuesday. Palmeiras wanted Reis, 19, for this year’s Club World Cup and paid 29.6 million pounds ($36.20 million). We’re excited to sign Vitor Reis, a top young defender,” City’s Director of Football Txiki Begiristain remarked.

“In his short time in senior football in Brazil, he has shown he has the ability to go very far in the game and we know that working with Pep and our coaches will help to get the best out of him.”

The Brazil under-17 international Reis has made 18 league appearances for Palmeiras and is important to Pep Guardiola’s team revamp.

Reis will join promising youngster Abdukodir Khusanov, 20, who arrived from Lens on Monday for 33.6 million pounds as part of the team’s generational shift. Manchester City knocked, and Reis “wasn’t anywhere else to go” after his hardest transfer challenge.

“Everyone has seen the amazing achievements in recent seasons, and I want to make my mark as we seek more trophies,” he said. “Working with Pep Guardiola is something every young player wants to do, and I know he can help me to develop into the best player I can be.”

Reis reviewed the move with Savinho before agreeing.

“City also have a lot of experience of working with Brazilian footballers and joining the likes of (goalkeeper) Ederson and Savinho in the squad will be a big help to me,” added.

Palmeiras academy product Reis made his senior debut last June as a superb centre back and right back. Apparently, Real Madrid and other big European teams sought him.