Football
Manchester City Complete Signing Of £30M Defender Vitor Reis From Palmeiras
James is an experienced writer covering a wide range of sports, including Premier League and European football, Rugby Union, WWE and the NFL. Having studied English & Creative Writing at Plymouth University, James completed a master's degree in Digital & Social Media Marketing before pursuing a career in Journalism. He then graduated from News Associates in Manchester after finishing their NCTJ Postgraduate Diploma in Multimedia Sports Journalism. Since then, James spent time writing for GameRant before joining Reach PLC, where he featured regularly in publications such as the Daily Mirror, Football.LDN, Manchester Evening News and Liverpool Echo, as well as dozens of local titles. Now at SportsCasting, James provides expert analysis and detailed research features, as well as covering breaking news stories.
Get to know James Chittick betterPublished21 Jan 2025
Manchester City have completed the signing of teenage defender Vitor Reis from Brazilian side Palmeiras in a deal worth around £30m.
Nineteen-year-old central defender Reis penned a four-and-a-half-year deal at the Etihad.
The right-footed centre-back has represented Brazil at youth level, playing nine times for the under-17s. He has made 22 senior appearances for Palmeiras.
Brazilian club Palmeiras were hopeful that City would allow the defender to remain with them on loan until the end of the season, but City insisted he joined this month.
Vitor Reis Delighted By Manchester City Move
Speaking after news broke of his upcoming move, Reis was overjoyed to be joining the English champions.
He said: “This is a dream come true, since I was a young kid I’ve always dreamt with an opportunity just like this one and play for a club as big as City.
“The magnitude of Manchester City, its history and its structure. When the door knocked and it was Manchester City, I knew there wasn’t anywhere else to go.”
Brazilian youngster Reis is the second January signing for Manchester City.
The club have also acquired Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
City Bringing In Defensive Reinforcements
It’s telling that City have brought in two central defenders this window.
Pep Guardiola’s side have struggled at the back more than ever before during the Catalan boss’s tenure.
With a myriad of injury problems and poor form, they have slipped down to fifth in the Premier League.
They are 12 points below leaders Liverpool, who have played one game fewer.
City forward Phil Foden recently admitted the title race was over for City, acknowledging it would be ‘stupid’ to think otherwise.
The best UK football betting sites currently suggest Foden is right, with City rated 25/1 outsiders to retain their crown.
Aside from Reis and Khusanov, the champions are also hopeful of completing a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush before the end of the January transfer window.
City’s next fixture is away at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday, 22 January.