Wolverhampton Wanderers have confirmed the signing of Sport Recife youngster Pedro Lima in a video led by Brazilian compatriot Matheus Cunha.
During the early part of June, it was widely reported that Chelsea were the clear frontrunners to acquire the signature of the then-17-year-old.
The right-back seemed in line to head out to Strasbourg to continue his development until Sport Recife made the surprise revelation they had agreed terms with Wolves.
In the days that followed, it emerged that Cunha - who at the time was being linked with Manchester United - had spoken with Lima, someone who grew up in the same area of Brazil and whose ability he had backed publicly.
While it has been known for over two weeks that Lima would be arriving at Molineux, the transfer could not be completed until at least July 1, the date of the teenager's 18th birthday.
On Tuesday evening, Wolves finally announced that Lima had been signed on a five-year contract, the video accompanying the reveal referencing they had gazumped Chelsea late in negotiations.
Agent Cunha at work 🇧🇷👔 pic.twitter.com/sG5aXVFdsZ
— Wolves (@Wolves) July 2, 2024
Wolves reference 'determined recruitment process'
Wolves acknowledged the 'determined recruitment process' when revealing the transfer, and speaking on the deal, sporting director Matt Hobbs talked up the possibility of Lima eventually establishing himself as an important part of the senior ranks.
Hobbs told the club's official website: "I'm really happy we've been able to add Pedro to the first-team squad. There was lots of competition for him, but we've been working on bringing him to Wolves for a while now, and he's fully invested in our project.
"He's a person with huge ambition, but Gary (O'Neil) and the coaches know where he wants to get to and they will be working with him – like they do all our players – to be better and improve. He has a massive desire to be the best player he can be and we're going to help him meet his goals.
"Through his attitude, through his work on the pitch, his work in the gym and the way he looks after himself, I expect him to be really competitive and push the players who might be ahead of him at the moment, but in Nelson (Semedo), I think there's no better right-back for him to learn from."
© Reuters
Two signings in a day for Wolves
Earlier on Tuesday, Wolves revealed that they had signed Celta Vigo forward Jorgen Strand Larsen, initially on a season-long loan with the view of a future £23m transfer.
The Norway international is expected to go straight into the first team down the centre of the attack, but Lima may have to bide his time having only made 26 appearances as a professional.
Although he has faced top-flight opposition in cup competitions, the Brazil Under-17 international departs a club that compete in the second tier.
Wolves are said to be paying £8.45m to sign Lima who, as well as Strand Larsen, joins Rodrigo Gomes in making the switch to the West Midlands.
Darren Plant
