Nottingham Forest have signed young midfielder Marcelo Saraiva, with the teenager set to link up with the Reds’ Under-23s.
The 18-year-old has made the move to the City Ground from Brazilian outfit Sport Club Internacional and has penned a one-and-a-half-year deal, until June 2022.
Described as a defensive midfielder, Saraiva is said to have had a spell training with the Forest youth team before his move was confirmed.
He has represented Guatemala at Under-17 level and has also recently made his breakthrough with the senior side.
Announcing his arrival, the Reds academy said on Twitter: “Welcome, Marcelo! #NFFC are delighted to announce the signing of Guatemalan international Marcelo Saraiva from Brazilian side Sport Club Internacional.
“The 18-year-old midfielder joins up with the Under 23s squad and has signed a deal until June 2022.”
Saraiva will now link up with the Under-23s, overseen by former Forest stalwart Andy Reid.
Reid stepped into the role of head coach following the departure of Chris Cohen to Luton Town back in September.
And he recently spoke about looking to develop youngsters both as people and as players.
“One of the most important traits that we have down at the academy is humility,” he told the club’s matchday programme.
“We really want these players to have a good understanding of life as well as football and know what it takes to live in the real world, not just in the academy bubble.
“They won’t all make it as footballers so we have to give them a good education both on and off the pitch.
“It’s really important to us that we develop them as people and not just as professional footballers.”
