Barcelona sign loan deal for Brazil midfielder

Rio de Janeiro July 12 (IANS) Former European football champions FC Barcelona have secured Brazil Under-20 midfielder Vitinho on a season-long loan from Palmeiras.

Barcelona will initially include the 19-year-old in their B squad and will have the option of making the move permanent when the loan period expires in June next year reports Xinhua news agency.

"He can play as a right-sided midfielder or as an attacking one and is a direct fast creative player with a good dribble and an eye for an assist " Xinhua news agency quoted Barcelona as saying on their official website on Tuesday.

Vitinho who is under contract with Palmeiras until 2021 has made eight first-team appearances for the Sao Paulo club scoring one goal. He started pre-season training with Ernesto Valverde s team on Wednesday.

"I am very happy. I ll now be able to play at the club where Rivaldo and Ronaldinho played and where my idol Neymar plays " the teenager said.

--IANS
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