Blues deal from farmers market for starlet inspired by Mahrez

Savinho tells of great childhood and how he is fulfilling dreams with big move to City

- SIMON BAJKOWSKI

MANCHESTER City stand accused of turning English football into a farmers' league so maybe it is only fitting their new signing spends his holidays milking cows.

In many ways, Savinho - signed this week from fellow City Football Group club Troyes for an initial £21m represents a familiar face even if the name is new. He arrived in Manchester promising the attacking, exciting football that Brazil is famed for and his skills on the wing are a throwback in the modern game.

He will take the No.26 shirt under Pep Guardiola in a nod to Riyad Mahrez, the Algerian winger who last wore that number who has been a source of inspiration for Savinho growing up. It will also feel like following in the footsteps of Gabriel Jesus, who came over from Palmeiras as a teenager and instantly made a big impact.

Step away from the pitch however and there is more to Savinho than first meets the eye. As the 20-year-old is not afraid to tell his friends: "Nobody will have a childhood like mine".

That childhood came in Sao Mateus, a municipality on the east cost of Brazil founded by Portuguese colonisers in the 16th century. There, Savinho grew up on the family farm riding horses and growing crops as he chipped in with whatever he could.