CHELSEA have announced the signing of young Brazilian Andrey Santos from Vasco da Gama.
The midfielder becomes the second player to arrive at the Blues today after the club also completed the £10.5million transfer of David Datro Fofana.
Santos has cost Chelsea a fee rising to £18m, and the 18-year-old is looking forward to the opportunity of playing in Europe.
He told the club media: “It’s a very big opportunity for me. This is a big club playing in big competitions like the Premier League so I am very excited.
“The players here are so good and I am very happy to be here.”
The immediate role of the midfielder at Chelsea is not yet known, but with the club’s current injury crisis, he could be called upon by manager Graham Potter.
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His former club announced that he would be leaving yesterday with a statement on their website: “
Vasco Da Gama announced the midfielder’s departure on their website.
It read: “Vasco da Gama agreed this Friday (01/06) the permanent transfer of the athlete Andrey Santos to European football.
“Born in the youth ranks of Gigante da Colina, the midfielder will defend the colors of Chelsea, from England, in the coming seasons.
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“The youngster will end his first spell at the club from São Januário at the age of 18 with 38 appearances and eight goals.”
Vasco Da Gama added: “In São Januário since 2011, Andrey Santos started his career in futsal and it didn’t take long to become the main reference of the 2004 Generation. by the Hill Giant.
“In 2021, after debuting in a Carioca Championship match, Andrey Santos became the youngest player to ever play for Vasco da Gama in the 21st Century, leaving behind names like Talles Magno, Paulinho and Philippe Coutinho.
“The definitive promotion of Andrey Santos to the professional, however, only happened last season, during the dispute of the Brazilian Championship.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk