Pablo Mari has sealed a £1.5million transfer from Manchester City to Brazilian team Flamengo.
The 25-year-old central defender spoke of his delight after moving to the famous club - the best supported team in Brazil with an estimated 30 million fans.
Mari's Instagram account rose from 7,000 followers to 155,000 within 24 hours of signing for his new side. The Spanish defender signed for City in 2016 and has played on loan at Girona and NEC Breda in the Dutch league, before spending last season at Deportivo de La Coruña.
On arriving in Brazil Mari's first stop was to watch his first Flamengo home match in the Maracana stadium, where his new club won 6-1 against Goiás, to move to third position in the Brazilian Serie A.
Mari, who has agreed a contract until 2022, told the MEN: "It's been a real honour to be on Manchester City's books for these last years and to have had such diverse experiences in three different clubs.
"It was a surprise at first when Flamengo contacted my agent, but once we were clear on the club's ambitious vision and my place within this incredible project, I had no doubts that this was the right move.
"To play your home games in the Maracana is a dream come true to anyone who loves football, and I can't wait to get going."
