Manchester City confirm signing of Gabriel Jesus with forward available to play Tottenham on Saturday
The 19-year-old was bought in the summer but stayed with Palmeiras to help them win the Brazilian title
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus and he will now be available for their game against Tottenham on Saturday.
The 19-year-old signed for £27m in the summer but stayed with his old club Palmeiras to help them win their first Brazilian title in more than 20 years.
Although he joined up with his new teammates at the Etihad earlier this month, his formal registration was delayed until this week.
In an interview with the club's official website, Jesus admitted that manager Pep Guardiola played a big role in his signing.
“Apart from the grandeur of the club, which is massive, with a long history, it’s a club that always competes for the title in the competitions it enters, so that was an important factor,” Jesus said.
“And because of the manager, Guardiola, and the squad.
“He was the only manager who called me, Guardiola, so I was very pleased, given the manager he is and everything he’s done, his intelligence."
Jesus had been linked with a number of Europe's top clubs after either scoring or assisting 27 goals in his 44 games for Palmeiras and previously breaking the club's academy goal scoring record, netting 54 in just 48 matches at under-17 level.
City's director of football Txiki Begiristain was quick to sing the praises of his new signing as Jesus was unveiled at the club's training ground on Thursday and claimed he can go on to be a world class player.
“Gabriel is a technically gifted player who was chased by some of Europe’s biggest clubs and we are delighted he decided to join City," Begiristain said.
"He has the potential to become one of the best attacking players in the game."
Jesus joins as the sixth transfer of the Guardiola era and will provide competition for places up front alongside Sergio Aguero and Kelechi Iheanacho.
While City currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, Jesus is confident they can get back to winning ways.
"I want to win titles and Manchester City is a club that is used to winning," Jesus said.
His new side can go joint second with Spurs if they win on Saturday evening.
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