Premier League outfit Crystal Palace have, on Saturday, announced the latest addition to the club’s first-team squad.
The player in question? Matheus França.
For those not familiar with his name, França is a 19-year-old Selecao youth international, who had, until now, been plying his trade with Brazilian giants Flamengo.
The youngster is an attacking midfielder by trade, but is also capable of lining out in either a more advanced 2nd striker role, or a more orthodox position in the middle of the park.
All told, across the season to date, França has taken to the pitch with Flamengo on 29 occasions.
On the international front, meanwhile, the technically-gifted midfielder has notched three appearances with Brazil’s U20 side.
Welcome to SE25 – Matheus França 🇧🇷🦅 #CPFC pic.twitter.com/O9nIhSukxJ
— 🧑🏿🚀 (@TendiinhoV2) July 31, 2023
In turn, it came as a major surprise when, late last month, word was forthcoming that the prodigious starlet, out of the blue, was primed for a move to England.
This came amid widespread confirmation that the aforementioned Crystal Palace had reached an agreement worth a fee in the region of €30 million (including add-ons) with Flamengo.
And now, as alluded to above, Franca’s Selhurst Park switch has been made official.
As per a statement across Palace’s website and social media platforms on Saturday afternoon:
‘Crystal Palace are delighted to announce the arrival of Matheus França on a five-year deal from Flamengo, subject to international clearance.’
It is added that the teen is ‘renowned for his flair, physicality, high work rate and tenacious mentality’.
He’s here.
Welcome to Palace, Matheus França 🇧🇷
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 5, 2023
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