Lucas Paqueta and Emerson Palmieri have reacted to West Ham United signing their compatriot Luis Guilherme.
After weeks working on the deal, technical director Tim Steidten was delighted to officially unveil Luis Guilherme as a West Ham player on Thursday.
The Hammers are paying Palmeiras a reported £20m plus £5m in add-ons for the 18-year-old.
Guilherme left Brazil’s Under 20s camp to fly in to London and sign up to become West Ham’s first summer signing.
Indeed he is the first signing of the Julen Lopetegui era.
Guilherme – by his own declaration – can play in all attacking positions. The powerful ace possesses blistering pace and skill.
Many believe it is clever business by West Ham as he is one of a number of versatile young players who can – when needed – step in to replace Lucas Paqueta.
West Ham add another boy from Brazil
West Ham’s record signing has a cloud hanging over his head until his fate is decided by a three-person panel over spot-fixing allegations regarding yellow cards.
If Paqueta is found guilty he faces a lengthy ban. If he is absolved of any wrongdoing then he will likely be sold to Manchester City at the next opportunity.
That process could well drag on for some time yet, though.
So, for now at least, Guilherme will join his fellow Brazilians Paqueta, Emerson Palmieri and Luizao at West Ham.
Emerson was born and raised in Brazil but elected to play for the Italian national team. He is very much Brazilian at heart, though.
Speaking in his first interview as a Hammer, Guilherme revealed he spoke to Emerson when it became clear he would be signing.
He had not spoken to Paqueta at the time of speaking.
But West Ham’s £51m has now reached out to him.
Paqueta and Emerson react to West Ham signing Guilherme
Because Paqueta and Emerson have reacted to West Ham signing Guilherme.
Taking to his Instagram Stories, Emerson said: “Welcome brother! He’s moving upwards!” along with Hammers and heart emojis.
Paqueta, who is away on Brazil duty ahead of the Copa America, took time out to welcome Guilherme to West Ham too.
“Welcome my bro!” Paqueta said on his Instagram Stories, tagging in Guilherme while re-posting his West Ham announcement video.
It seems unlikely Paqueta and Guilherme will be West Ham teammates for too long.
But Hammers fans may get to enjoy the pair and Emerson linking up in the claret and blue for a spell.
So there could be some serious Samba style to the Hammers next season.
Samba football at the London Stadium
Guilherme has looked destined for big things since making his senior football debut for Palmeiras in a 4-2 home win over Tombense in the Brazilian Cup third round last April.
By the end of the 2023 Brazilian season, he had made 27 appearances, debuting in and winning Brazil’s Serie A and playing in the South American equivalent of the Champions League – the Copa Libertadores.
Now, just over one year on, he is a West Ham player having impressed West Ham and – according to reports – several other Premier League clubs.
The likes of The Guardian and ESPN have previously named West Ham’s new man in their prestigious lists of promising players.
The Guardian named Guilherme alongside fellow Palmeiras youngsters Endrick and Vitor Reis in their ‘Next Generation 2023: 60 of the best young talents in world football’.
Journalist Thiago Rabelo rather eloquently stated: “Football is a simple sport for Luis Guilherme.”
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