Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Brazilian defender Vitor Reis from Palmeiras for a reported €35m (£29.6m).
Reis, who turned 19 on January 12, has put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year contract and becomes Pep Guardiola's second signing of the January transfer window after defender Abdukodir Khusanov, whose €40m move from Lens was announced on Monday.
The centre-back will wear the No.22 shirt at Man City and leaves Palmeiras after making just 22 first-team appearances in all competitions since and including his senior debut in June last year.
"I'm excited to join Manchester City, one of the biggest clubs in the world," Reis told the club's official website. "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."
Bem-vindo, Vitor Reis! 🩵 pic.twitter.com/y5rDWFl8Cu
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 21, 2025
'Reis can help Man City now and for a long time into the future'
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."
Like Khusanov, Reis will be immediately integrated into Guardiola's first-team plans for the second half of this season, but he is not eligible to play for Man City in Wednesday's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Instead, Reis could be ready to make his debut for the Citizens in Saturday's Premier League encounter with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.
Our new Brazilian 🇧🇷🩵 pic.twitter.com/n1c7Ohc7iO
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 21, 2025
Who is Man City's latest signing Vitor Reis?
Born in Sao Paulo, Reis began his career at the R10 Academy in Paraiba, which was set up by former Brazil and Man City player Robinho, before moving to Palmeiras in 2016 at the age of 10.
The defender established himself as a key player at academy level and was later rewarded with his first professional contract towards the end of the 2022 campaign, before becoming a first-team regular over the last six months, starting 16 times in the Brasileiro.
The 6ft 1in Brazil Under-17s international, was named in the Brazilian League Team of the Year for 2024, while he was also voted by The Guardian as one of the best players born in 2006 across the globe, along with the likes of Real Madrid star and former Palmeiras teammate Endrick.
Reis can play either as a centre-back or a full-back, and he has revealed what qualities he will bring to Man City.
"I'm a very eager athlete, with a big will to win," he told the club's website. "So you can all be sure I will leave and give everything on the pitch.
"I've got a lot of desire and determination and I'm a player who loves a challenge, good headers and passes."
"City likes to play with a lot of possession, I also like to play that way," the youngster added. "City has shown that confidence in me when they've decided to sign me and that gives me a lot of confidence."
Reis joins a Man City side that have been troubled by a defensive injury crisis this season, with at least one of their four centre-back options - Ruben Dias, John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake - sidelined during their torrid run of just two wins in their final 14 games of 2024 across all competitions.
Oliver Thomas
