Robbie Savage has lifted the lid on the summer's most astonishing transfer – Macclesfield, from English football's eighth tier, signing a £2million goalkeeper from Liverpool.
Brazilian Marcelo Pitaluga, 19, has joined the Silkmen on a season-long loan in the Northern Northern Premier League Division One West Division One West because he believes it will help him gain experience on his quesst to become the Kop's No.1. As fourth choice at Anfield behind Alisson Becker, Caoimhin Kelleher and Adrian, Pitaluga wanted more game time in front of meaningful crowds instead of Under-23 games in deserted echo chambers.
And Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg persuaded him that a season at born-again Macclesfield could prove an inspired move. Silkmen director of football Savage has revealed how the deal was done – and why he hopes more Premier League hot prospects will follow Pitaluga to the Cheshire phoenix club.
The 6ft 3in made his home debut in the Silkmen's pre-season friendly against Crewe on Tuesday night - a game they won 2-1 with a 96th minute winner - and Savage said: “When you strip it down, it's incredible - a team which didn't even exist last year has signed a £2 million player from Liverpool, one of the richest clubs in the world.
“Marcelo was in the Brazil squad who won the Under-17 World Cup two years ago, and he is so highly-rated at Anfield that Jurgen Klopp put him on the bench four times for the first team last season. We would like to thank Liverpool for making it happen, and the bottom line in our deal is that Marcelo will play every week to gain experience.
“Even if he makes the odd mistake, he will be trusted – just as Liverpool are trusting us to look after him. It was vital, absolutely imperative, that we were promoted from the North West Counties Premier Division last season because different transfer rules apply to the Northern Premier League.
“It gave us the ability to bring in loan signings from top professional clubs and I am confident there will be more to follow. But this isn't a question of trying to 'buy' success, which is how a few jealous rivals see it – we can only bring in players of Marcelo's quality because we generate income from our tremendous support.
“Last season, Macclesfield averaged the seventh-highest average crowds in non-League football – and more than half a dozen EFL clubs. Our head of recruitment, Jimmy Holmes, has his finger on the pulse of who's available for transfer or loan at all levels and he got in touch with Liverpool's loans manager David Woodfine to explore the possibility of Marcelo playing at our level.
“David knows we run Macclesfield along professional lines, training three mornings a week and with players expected to train as they play. He has seen the influence of our ex-professionals, like Neil Danns, and the prospect of playing in front of 4,000 fans every week at the Leasing.com stadium was perhaps our trump card.
“Performing in front of sizeable crowds is always a key stage of a young player's development, and we make no bones about it: We want to win our league again this season.
“I cannot thank Liverpool enough for trusting us to help in the development of a prize young asset, and hopefully it sets the ball rolling for other clubs to follow suit.”
Pitaluga moved to Merseyside from Fluminense – the club where Tottenham forward Richarlison started out – working with Alisson's brother Muriel, also a gaolkeeper.
He said: “John Achterberg came to see me a few weeks ago and explained it could be a good opportunity for me. When we spoke more seriously about it, and I saw the club for myself, I really liked it and it just came naturally.
“It will be most important for me to get regular game time, and if I can help the team with good performances, clean sheets and helping our goals together, that's what it's all about.”
