New Manchester City signing Kayky will soon make his debut for the under-23s, Pep Guardiola has revealed.
Exciting forward Kayky, 18, signed from Fluminese for an initial £9m, and was initially set to join City in January 2022.
However, an agreement was reached for Kayky to link up with City at the end of the summer transfer window, and he has been in Manchester for a few weeks featuring in first team training.
City publicised Kayky's arrival on their in-house media channels, rather than playing him down, and there is excitement among supporters as to what he can offer the club — having remained at the CFA rather than being sent out on loan.
He could still leave on a temporary basis, of course, like fellow Brazilian youngsters Diego Rosa, Yan Couto and Metinho. However, Guardiola says the youngster's next step will be to make his club debut for the Elite Development Squad, suggesting his immediate future remains at the Etihad Campus.
Speaking to Brazilian outlet TNT Sports after the Champions League win at Club Brugge this week, Guardiola was asked about Kayky, when he revealed some early injury problems and what City's plan is for him.
"He’s just arrived. Had some knee problems. He’s training with us, getting to know us, getting to know English football," Guardiola said.
"He’s very young. We know of his talent, otherwise he wouldn’t have come, or City wouldn’t have signed him.
"He’s very smart, very prepared. Fernandinho talks to him a lot, our captains take care of things a lot, that’s why Fernandinho is a jewel.
"Little by little he will be integrated, he will try to have matches for the second team, seek rhythm. And soon his performances will decide what to do."
As well as Fernandinho's help, Kayky has also caught the eye of Gabriel Jesus, who has praised the youngster for his early impressions among the senior City squad.
"He’s a boy, a very good player. We trained together and I could see it. Everyone here likes him,” Jesus told ESPN Brasil.
"It’s not easy to adapt to England. I talked to him, we talk every day. I made it clear that I’m here to help. Just as, when I arrived, Fernandinho and Fernando helped me, the club also help a lot the players who arrive with the family, stability, they offer this support."
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