Norwich City have completed the signing of defender Bruno Alves from Cruzeiro EC.
Alves, 20, joins from four-time Brasileiro champions Cruzeiro on a season-long loan deal, with City retaining an option to make the deal permanent.
A Brazil Under-20 international, Alves has progressed through the youth system at Cruzeiro after initially joining the club’s youth team aged 16.
Prior to that, Alves played for the youth teams of Grêmio Novorizontino.
Speaking to canaries.co.uk, Alves said: “I’m really happy and excited by the opportunity here in Norwich City.
"In all the meetings I had with the staff, I felt it was the perfect place for this new stage of my career.
"They gave me the feeling that the club is like a family.
"They like and know how to work with young players and I am excited by the sporting project.
“I was excited about the possibility of playing for a prestigious club in the main centre of world football today.
"Playing in European football has always been a career goal and English football is vital for my consolidation.
"In the end, my move to the club made a lot of sense.
"I will give my everything for the football club.
"It is a big move, but I’m very excited in this project, the head coach and joining this new team."
Sporting director Ben Knapper added: "We’re really happy to welcome Bruno and his family to Norwich City. He is a player of real potential, and whilst it will of course be a process for him to adapt to both our club and English football more broadly, he is an exciting talent with an extremely high ceiling.
"He is a player that we have followed for a considerable amount of time. Credit must go to our scouting and recruitment operation, including our presence on the ground in South America, which has positioned us effectively to be able to complete this deal.
"We’re all looking forward to working closely with him this coming season and, hopefully, beyond."
Bruno will officially join the club on July 1, subject to international clearance and approval by The FA and EFL.
