ARSENAL SIGN 18-YEAR-OLD BRAZILIAN WINGER, MARTINELLI

July 2, 2019

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Arsenal have signed 18-year-old Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli from Ituano Futebol Clube for an undisclosed fee.

The deal comes the day after Sky Sports News reported the Gunners have launched a £40m bid for Wilfried Zaha and continued talks with Porto’s Yacine Brahimi.

The forward has joined on a long-term contract, with the deal subject to the completion of regulatory processes.

“It was an amazing feeling, a dream come true, being able to be beside great players,” he said.

“It is a great opportunity to learn and I enjoyed it as much as I could.”

Martinelli scored 10 goals in 34 appearances for Sao Paulo-based club Ituano and was called up for a training camp with the senior Brazil squad ahead of the Copa America.

“I model my game on Cristiano Ronaldo,” Martinelli added.

“He is a player who works hard, pushing himself to the next level. Always in the run for titles and individual trophies.

“This is a dream since I was a child and also my family’s dream for me to be playing in Europe and playing for a big team like Arsenal. I am going to take this opportunity.”