Yahoo Sports City complete Reis signing
Manchester City are delighted to announce the signing of Vitor Reis from Palmeiras.
The 19-year-old Brazilian youth international moves to the Etihad Stadium on a four-and-a-half-year deal, keeping him at City until the summer of 2029.
A classy centre-back and regular captain on his journey through Palmeiras’ youth ranks, Reis made his senior debut in June 2024 and went on to be a key part of the team as they finished runners-up in the Brazilian Serie A.
He played 22 times for his boyhood club, including 18 games in the league and two matches in the Copa Libertadores.
His performances even earned him national recognition as he was named in the Trofeu Mesa Redonda Team of the Year for all Brazilian football across 2024.
Buy your Vitor Reis #22 shirt!
He will now join Pep Guardiola’s squad for the remainder of the 2024/25 season and beyond.
Speaking on the move, Reis said: “I’m excited to join Manchester City, one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“Everyone has seen the amazing achievements in recent seasons, and I want to make my mark as we seek more trophies.
“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.
“City also have a lot of experience of working with Brazilian footballers and joining the likes of Ederson and Savinho in the squad will be a big help to me.”
Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: “Vitor Reis is one of the most promising young defenders in the world and we’re delighted to been able to bring him here.
“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.
“He is excellent on the ball and outstanding in the air – he has all the attributes needed to be one of the best.
“Vitor is very young, but his quality is so high that we believe he can help us now and for a long time into the future.”
Everyone at Manchester City would like to extend a warm welcome Vitor and wish him the very best during his time with the Club.
WATCH: Reis reveals the qualities he will offer City
Natural talent
At 19, Vitor Reis’ journey in senior football is only just beginning.
But having captained Palmeiras and Brazil youth sides, he’s always been earmarked as both an outstanding defensive prospect and innate leader.
Alongside his natural reassuring presence, Reis’ raw physical capabilities are often the first thing to catch the eye when you watch him.
Standing over six foot tall and capable of covering at pace, Reis is ready made for the demands of football at the highest level.
Composure on the ball and an ability to pick a pass are prerequisites for any player in Pep Guardiola’s team, especially those at the back tasked with starting attacks from deep.
Reis is more than capable of finding his man from any range and he’s not perturbed by pressure from an attacker.
As a youngster seeking to develop, Reis will undoubtedly hope to grow his game under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola and be moulded into the kind of defender that has proved the backbone of our recent success.
Compatriots Fernandinho and Gabriel Jesus, who also moved from Palmeiras as a teenager, have previously excelled at City under Pep while Ederson and Savinho are still here.
That close connection between City and some of the best Brazilian players of recent years can surely only benefit Reis as he settles in.
WATCH: Vitor Reis joins Manchester City
Stats so far
2024 - Palmeiras
Apps: 22
Goals: 2
