KEY POINTS

  • The 19-year-old is considered to be among the best young players in the world
  • Jesus will make the switch to England in December 2016.

Manchester City have signed Brazilian winger Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras for a reported fee of £27m ($35.9m) plus add-ons. The 19-year-old, who is considered one of the hottest prospects in world football, has agreed a five-year deal at the Etihad Stadium.

Jesus will remain at his current club Palmeiras until December 2016, when the Brazilian league season comes to an end. City are reported to have fought off stiff competition from the likes of Barcelona to secure his signature.

"Manchester City is one of the best clubs in the world so I'm really pleased to sign," the Brazilian told the club's official website. "We have many great talents in the team and a fantastic manager in Pep Guardiola that I can learn so much from.

"I'm looking forward to showing the City fans what I can do and I think we'll have a great future together!"

Meanwhile, Txiki Begiristain, City's Director of Football, has welcomed the highly-rated youngster to the club, revealing he is relishing the prospect of watching him in action this season.

"He is one of the most exciting young prospects in world football and plays the game in a spectacular way," the City official said, having completed the transfer ahead of the likes of Barcelona. "We look forward to him making a big impact at Manchester City in January."

Jesus has netted 26 goals in 67 first-team games for Palmeiras and has been widely praised for his outstanding displays in recent months. Former Brazil and Barcelona striker Ronaldo recently said: "I am betting on two great talents that are still developing but already show a lot of skill: Santos' Gabigol and Palmeiras' Gabriel Jesus. And they haven't even turned 20 yet."

Jesus' signing is the sixth City have completed since Pep Guardiola was appointed as the club's new manager. The winger - who is set to feature at the 2016 Olympics - follows Leroy Sane, Ilkay Gundogan, Nolito, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Aaron Mooy to the Etihad.