New Manchester City signing Savinho has vowed to write his own chapter in the history of the club.
The 20-year-old Brazil winger was signed from Troyes on a five-year deal after his starring role on loan at Girona last season, where he helped the Spanish side qualify for the Champions League.
Savinho revealed that as a youngster he idolised former City favourite Riyad Mahrez and has chosen to take the Algerian’s number 26 shirt at the Etihad.
Welcome to Manchester, Savinho! 😍👋 pic.twitter.com/JfxrbUP9R7
— City Report (@cityreport_) August 4, 2024
“I’m really happy and honoured to be here. I can’t wait to put the shirt on, get on the pitch and show you what I can do,” he said.
“I can see myself as part of this group and I will play my best football for Manchester City.
“What I want is to work really hard with the coaches and my team-mates so I can develop.
“I was delighted to qualify for the Champions League with Girona. Now the focus is on Manchester City.
“It’s a new page in history and I’m delighted to play in the Champions League with Manchester City. I want to drive on from what I achieved with Girona last season.
“Mahrez was a role model for me ever since I watched him as a child. Yes, there are similarities to our games. He’s written history here but Mahrez is Mahrez, Savinho is Savinho. Now it’s my turn to make my history here.”
Savinho was unveiled to City fans at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday along with Vivianne Miedema, who has joined from Arsenal.
The Dutch striker scored 106 WSL goals in seven years with the north Londoners and now hopes to help push City over the line after they were pipped to the title on goal difference by Chelsea last season.
“Individual prizes are nice but I’m here to win things with City,” she said.
“Over the last couple of years they’ve played amazing football and been very close. I hope with my experience I can help the girls, it’s something really exciting and hopefully we can up that game this season.”
Miedema will form a fearsome attack with Khadija Shaw, who netted 21 goals last term before injury curtailed her season.
“She’s got so much quality, we have different qualities and I think they will fit together so well,” added the 28-year-old.
“And with Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly here I think we are going to have plenty of opportunities to score.”