Gabriel Jesus is recognised as one of South America’s most exciting talents and he was named “best newcomer” in the 2015 Serie A Campeonato.
The 19-year old has signed for Manchester City FC despite strong interest from some of the biggest clubs in the world. He will join the team in January 2017, with a contract that runs until the end of the 2020/21 season. He will remain at Palmeiras until December 2016.
Jesus said: “Manchester City is one of the best clubs in the world so I’m really pleased to sign.
“We have many great talents in the team and a fantastic manager in Pep Guardiola that I can learn so much from.
“I’m looking forward to showing the City fans what I can do and I think we’ll have a great future together!”
City Director of Football Txiki Begiristain said: “We are delighted that Gabriel has chosen to join us. He is one of the most exciting young prospects in world football and plays the game in a spectacular way. We look forward to him making a big impact at Manchester City in January.”
Jesus is a versatile forward who can play anywhere across the front three – he possesses a low centre of gravity, an explosive turn of pace and fleet tricky feet making him a master of one-on-one situations as well as perfectly cast in the mould of the quintessential Brazilian striker.
Kicking off his amateur career at Associação Atlética Anhanguera six years ago, Gabriel went on to join Palmeiras in 2012 where he made a name for himself with a phenomenal 54 goals in 48 matches at youth level.
Unsurprisingly, a senior call-up wasn’t far away with Gabriel appearing for the first time on 7 March 2015 in the Campeonato Paulista, coming on in the 73rd minute of a 1–0 win over CA Bragantino at Allianz Parque.
His first professional goal soon followed away to Agremiação Sportiva Arapiraquense on 15 July 2015, the only goal of the two-legged tie.
Since, Jesus has netted 26 goals in 67 first team games for Palmeiras, his goalscoring ratio improving with each passing month of his fledgling career.
View Man City’s signing, Gabriel Jesus’ fact file.
Gabriel has represented the Seleção at u20 and u23 level, scoring eight goals in ten games at international youth level. He is currently preparing for the summer Olympics on home soil where, together with Neymar, it’s hoped he will fire the team to the only major honour missing from Brazil’s collection.
Legendary striker Ronaldo is a fan, declaring: “I am betting on two great talents that are still developing but already show a lot of skill: Santos’ Gabigol and Palmeiras’ Gabriel Jesus. And they haven’t even turned 20 yet.”
City reportedly beat off competition from some of the continent’s biggest clubs to land his signature and so supporters will be eagerly awaiting his touchdown in Manchester in January.
One thing is for sure… City fans will now be keeping an especially close eye on Brazil’s progress in Rio this summer.
Jesus becomes City’s sixth signing of summer 2016, joining Leroy Sane, Ilkay Gundogan, Nolito, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Aaron Mooy at the club.
View the social media reaction to Gabriel Jesus signing for Manchester City.
