Ronaldinho’s son signs for EFL club after quitting Barcelona aged 19 | Football | Sport
The son of Brazilian icon Ronaldinho has signed for Championship side Burnley. Joao Mendes, 19, has reportedly signed a two-year deal with the club after leaving Barcelona’s youth academy.
The winger travelled to England this week to complete the deal, and has been pictured holding up a club shirt.
In the photo, he’s flanked by agents Marcelo Sander and Marcelo Marchese, who are said to have played a key role in negotiations.
According to Brazilian media outlet Globo, Mendes underwent a medicalon Wednesday before signing his deal. He signed for Barcelona just a year ago, after four years with the Cruzeiro academy in Brazil.
After representing the under-19 side in a 3-1 friendly win over Manchester United, club president Joan Laporta said: “We want Ronaldinho’s son to continue his career here.
“We will make him a contract offer. The other day we spoke with his agent and he has to close some things in Brazil first.”
However, his 12-month contract in Catalonia ended in June. And it appears there was no agreement over an extension, despite his father vowing to play an active role in helping with his development.
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