Andreas Pereira has admitted that he had Flamengo 'in his heart' after completing a season-long loan move to the Brazilian side from Manchester United.
Pereira was announced by Flamengo on Friday in a loan move until June 2022, with a permanent buy option of €20m should he prove to be a success in his homeland.
The 25-year-old midfielder was met upon his arrival in Rio de Janeiro and handed the famous black and red shirt with his name and the number 18 squad number.
After spending last season out on loan at Lazio where he played 33 games and scored just once, Pereira was adamant that he wanted regular football this season.
After taking part in a full pre-season with United, including scoring a wonder-goal against Brentford at Old Trafford, Pereira was allowed to leave on loan after not receiving assurances of a first-team place under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and has admitted he can't wait to get started in Brazil.
“It’s an incredible feeling," Pereira told Flamengo's YouTube channel. "I’m very happy, anxious too. I want to work, get here to win titles, help the team, and do my best.
“It’s an inexplicable feeling. Since the first contact I had, it was something that has always been in my heart. I talked to my family about it. I was very happy.
"I did an entire pre-season with Manchester United so I'm fit and ready to play from the first minute the team needs me."
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