Manchester City have completed the signing of Ederson Moares from Benfica for a world record fee of £34.7mn, the Portuguese side have announced.
Ederson is one of the most highly rated young goalkeepers in world football. This season he won his second league and cup double with Benfica, kept 22 clean sheets and has been fundamental to Benfica’s success.
Born in Osasco, São Paulo, Ederson started his football career in 2008 at local club São Paulo FC with whom he played one season, before joining Benfica in Portugal. At the age of 16, he spent two years as a junior, eventually leaving for Second Division side Ribeirão in 2011.
A year later, he joined Primeira Liga side Rio Ave. In summer 2012, he officially signed a contract with Rio Ave. In May 2015, following a string of good performances and a call to the Brazil under-23 squad, he signed a new contract with Benfica that would have lasted until 2019. But Ederson had other plans as he agreed to join Manchester City on 1st June, 2017.
An excellent, reactive shot-stopper, Ederson is assured in the air, able to catch the ball under pressure of those trying to put him off. He’s strong too, and at 6-feet-two, more than capable of holding his own and snatching crosses from the heads of forwards. Reliable. Dependable. Exactly what the far more experienced Claudio Bravo was supposed to be.
Will he be a success under Pep or will his fate be the same as Joe Hart? Only time will tell…