Dutch club PSV Eindhoven has earned the right to sign a 13-year-old Brazilian football player, beating out interest from FC Barcelona and Russia's CSKA Moscow.
PSV and Mirassol, a small club based in the interior of Sao Paulo state, have agreed to a deal giving the Dutch club the first chance to sign Maicon Vinicius da Cruz, known as Nikao, when he turns 16 and becomes eligible for transfers under Brazilian law, Mirassol officials told The Associated Press on Friday.
FIFA regulations do not allow a transfer until player turns 18.
Nikao will travel to the Netherlands in June to make his first visit to PSV, said Carlos Roberto Carvalho, president of CR Promocoes, Mirassol's partner.
FC Barcelona and CSKA had shown interest in the young midfielder, but PSV was the first to make an offer and earned the deal, Carvalho said.
Mirassol will receive $US500 ($A640) monthly from the Dutch club to help pay for Nikao's food, school tuition and transportation, Carvalho said.
Nikao, an orphan who lives with his grandmother, is expected to alternate three-months stays in the Netherlands and Brazil until his 16th birthday.
PSV found out about Nikao after Mirassol sent videos of his matches, Carvalho said.
"He has always said he's going to be famous one day," Carvalho said. "Maybe this is his chance."
Nikao is the second youngster to attract interest from European clubs this year. In January, 9-year-old Jean Carlos Chera prompted several teams, including Manchester United, to contact the boy's club in the southern Brazilian state of Parana.
Never heard of him before mabye he's good
PSV and Mirassol, a small club based in the interior of Sao Paulo state, have agreed to a deal giving the Dutch club the first chance to sign Maicon Vinicius da Cruz, known as Nikao, when he turns 16 and becomes eligible for transfers under Brazilian law, Mirassol officials told The Associated Press on Friday.
FIFA regulations do not allow a transfer until player turns 18.
Nikao will travel to the Netherlands in June to make his first visit to PSV, said Carlos Roberto Carvalho, president of CR Promocoes, Mirassol's partner.
FC Barcelona and CSKA had shown interest in the young midfielder, but PSV was the first to make an offer and earned the deal, Carvalho said.
Mirassol will receive $US500 ($A640) monthly from the Dutch club to help pay for Nikao's food, school tuition and transportation, Carvalho said.
Nikao, an orphan who lives with his grandmother, is expected to alternate three-months stays in the Netherlands and Brazil until his 16th birthday.
PSV found out about Nikao after Mirassol sent videos of his matches, Carvalho said.
"He has always said he's going to be famous one day," Carvalho said. "Maybe this is his chance."
Nikao is the second youngster to attract interest from European clubs this year. In January, 9-year-old Jean Carlos Chera prompted several teams, including Manchester United, to contact the boy's club in the southern Brazilian state of Parana.
Never heard of him before mabye he's good
