Only 18 years old, but already worth 23 million euros: West Ham have now signed Luis Guilherme, a young winger from Palmeiras. New coach Julen Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten have high hopes for the Brazilian
The young Brazilian Luis Guilherme is described as a “priority transfer target” in West Ham United’s press release. The winger’s services were reportedly worth a hefty €23 million to the Hammers in order to prise him away from his current club Palmeiras and sign him to a five-year contract.
Luis Guilherme has been following the Premier League since he was a child and is now happy to be playing in the “best league in the world”: “I’ve had this dream since I was eleven and now it’s coming true,” said the Brazilian, who was offered a move to West Ham by German Tim Steidten, who works as technical director at the London club, during a visit to his Brazilian homeland. However, the versatile attacker had already been on Steidten’s radar for some time: “He’s a very exciting young talent that we’ve been tracking for some time and when we found out he was available, Julen and I were determined to bring him to London. “
Luis Guilherme has already won the title in Brazil – together with Endrick
The new coach Lopetegui, who will take over from David Moyes in the new season, was an important reason for his decision in favor of West Ham, emphasizes the youngster, who has already played five times for Brazil’s U-20 national team: “The head coach and I have already spoken. He showed me his project and I think I will learn a lot from him. “
In terms of his talents, Luis Guilherme is ideally suited to the Premier League, Steidten is convinced: “He is technically very gifted, but also has very good physical qualities – great pace, strength and stamina,” says the Bremen native: “These are qualities that will help him adapt to the demands of the Premier League and English soccer.”
The 18-year-old has also already gained plenty of experience for his age: In addition to over 40 games for the Palmeiras first team, the young Brazilian’s CV already includes a Brazilian championship title, alongside Real Madrid’s new wonderkid Endrick. Luis Guilherme, who is praised in the club’s press release as “one of the most promising talents in South American soccer”, is due to start pre-season with the Hammers at the beginning of July.
However, it seems unrealistic that he will be able to win a national championship title in England so quickly with West Ham United, who finished ninth in the Premier League last season.