Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras signs for Manchester city.

       

  Manchester City have announced the signing of Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras.The 19-year-old has agreed a five-year deal but will remain with Palmeiras until December 2016 before moving to the Etihad Stadium in January 2017.

          Barcelona had expressed an interest in signing the Brazilian but he has opted to join Pep Guardiola's team.

"I'm looking forward to showing the City fans what I can do and I think we'll have a great future together!"

"Manchester City is one of the best clubs in the world so I'm really pleased to sign," he said.

            "We have many great talents in the team and a fantastic manager in Pep Guardiola that I can learn so much from.

Jesus began his career at Associação Atlética Anhanguera before joining Palmeiras in 2013, scoring 54 goals in 48 matches for the youth team. He earned a senior call-up in March 2015, the first of 67 first-team appearances.

           City Director of Football Txiki Begiristain said: "We are delighted that Gabriel has chosen to join us. He is one of the most exciting young prospects in world football and plays the game in a spectacular way. We look forward to him making a big impact at Manchester City in January."

          Palmeiras boss Cuca has urged in-demand Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus to snub the likes of Barcelona and instead continue his development in the Brazilian league.

         Gabriel, 19, is believed to be the subject of firm interest from Barcelona, while Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Juventus have also been linked with a move for the teenager.

         Earlier this month, Gabriel's agent Christian Simoes revealed that Bayern and Juventus were both interested in signing the 19-year-old, while Man City and Man United have joined the race in recent days.

          Barcelona are believed to be the forward's number one choice, but Cuca has warned Gabriel that a move to Spain would hamper his development at this stage of his career.

          "Barca's representatives have been around for a while, not just today. They have already seen other games. Gabriel knows this and does not let it mislead him," Cuca told reporters. "If I were Gabriel's father, I would not let him leave today. He is not going to play in Barcelona today. Who would he play in place of there? Here, he will grow more.

          "It is not yet his time. Playing here, he will be in much better condition to play for the national team than playing there - he knows this. He will be with us until the end of the year."

          Gabriel, who missed out on a spot in Brazil's 2016 Copa America squad due to visa issues, scored twice in Palmeiras's 2-0 win over America Mineiro on Tuesday night.