Nottingham Forest have added exciting midfielder Marcelo Saraiva to their under-23 ranks, the club has confirmed on Twitter.
The 18-year-old is a Guatemala international, playing in games against Puerto Rico and Antigua and Barbuda in 2019.
He links up with the Reds under-23s ahead of their campaign getting back underway on Tuesday 19th January.
Saraiva arrived at Forest from Brazilian top-flight outfit Internacional where he failed to make a first-team appearance.
He did play plenty of football for their youth team, however, and checks in on Trentside with plenty of promise.
Saraiva is a holding midfielder but one who possesses an array of passing ability.
He breaks play up well, is comfortable in possession and tries to get his team playing forwards as quickly as possible.
It is unsure at this stage who is responsible for the addition; with plenty of people working in the club’s recruitment team.
Gary Brazil has taken on a more significant role in recent months and he is busy working towards getting the club’s academy a category one status.
It’ll certainly be interesting to see how Saraiva develops.
The Forest academy is one of the best aspects of the football club and he’ll want to prove himself in England.
Could the international make the first-team grade?
Only time will tell but it looks a solid addition.
Internacional are one of the top clubs in Brazil and it’ll be exciting to see how he takes to the English game.
Chris Hughton has utilised Alex Mighten and Will Swan in his matchday squads this season.
As a result, the club’s younger players should be given the confidence that if they impress for the under-23s then a chance could be forthcoming.
Of course, Saraiva needs to prove himself first.
Andy Reid’s team are going really well in the league this season and he’ll be stepping into a confident side.
Supporters will monitor the international’s progress with intrigue and one day he might be strutting his stuff at the City Ground.
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