Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of highly-rated Eric da Silva Moreira.
The Germany Under-18 international arrived from St Pauli, making a solitary substitute outing in their promotion campaign from 2. Bundesliga.
Despite his lack of first-team action, Moreira has been backed to enjoy a productive professional career on the back of the numbers that he has racked up in the academy ranks.
A total of 17 goals and nine assists came from his 39 appearances for St Pauli's Under-17 and Under-19 sides.
Forest will pay their German counterparts a fee of €1.5m (£1.3m), plus add-ons, with the player penning a contract until 2028.
Welcome to Nottingham Forest, Eric da Silva Moreira 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/l2MeHwJG1k
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) June 25, 2024
What have Moreira, Forest had to say?
Speaking to the club's official website, Moreira said: "I'm really happy to be here. I've heard a lot about the Premier League and a lot about many clubs, so I'm very happy to be at Nottingham Forest, especially at a club that has a lot of tradition just like my old club.
"Me and my family are really happy about this new challenge and I can't wait to get started and get to know the city, the people and everything about the club."
Ross Wilson - Forest' Chief Football Officer - added: "We have a number of exciting young players in our squad already and we are pleased that Eric is another young player with high potential who we are excited to add to our ranks.
"We have tracked his progress at both club and international level, and we are looking forward to his continued progression here with us."
Who made the decision on Moreira?
© Reuters
When reports first emerged that Moreira could soon be signing for Forest, it was well-documented that he is represented by super-agent Jorge Mendes.
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo is under the same banner, while Forest have acquired the services of Mendes clients in the past, most recently Giovanni Reyna on loan from Borussia Dortmund.
Nevertheless, it is undoubted that Moreira would have eventually plied his trade in the Bundesliga at some stage, so Forest may have pulled off a coup in securing his signature.
Moreira will likely be given the opportunity to impress in pre-season before it is decided whether he will start immediately in the first team.
Darren Plant
