PSV has strengthened itself with Carlos Vinícius, the Eindhoven team announced via the official channels. The 26-year-old striker is rented from Benfica for two seasons and PSV has negotiated an option to buy in a rental deal that, according to previous reports, will initially cost 2.5 million euros. Vinícius set foot on Dutch soil early on Tuesday morning to complete his transfer to PSV.
“With Vinicius we add direct quality to PSV”, technical manager John de Jong reacts to the transfer. “We were keen to add a quality attacker to the roster and are pleased to have succeeded with Carlos Vinicius. Carlos is a complete striker, who in particular adds strength and length to our line of attack. A good player, who has been on our front line for a long time. radar. In the past few days, an opportunity arose to get him to PSV and we immediately acted on it.”
Vinícius landed at Rotterdam The Hague Airport in the night from Monday to Tuesday, after various media reported on Monday evening that the Brazilian striker was ‘fast on his way’ to PSV. He passed the medical examination on Tuesday afternoon, so that he could now be presented as the new PSV striker. It was no secret that coach Roger Schmidt wanted to add another striker to his roster, as with Eran Zahavi he basically had one player who can handle that position.
The names of Mergim Berisha, Luuk de Jong and Mostafa Mohamed were reviewed, but Vinícius was also added to this list on Sunday evening. Benfica coach Jorge Jesus previously announced that Vinicius is not in his plans despite a contract that runs until mid-2024, so that he was still allowed to move in the last days of the transfer window. Vinicius was loaned out by Benfica to Tottenham Hotspur last season, where he scored 10 goals and 3 assists in 22 games. The Spurs had an option to buy worth 45 million euros, but decided not to exercise it.
The striker was on the reserve bench during the matches in the preliminary round of the Champions League against PSV and Spartak Moscow, in which he did not make any minutes. The only minutes the Brazilian made this season was when he was brought in against FC Arouca in the 84th minute. Vinicius was not part of the match selection for Benfica’s league match against Tondela on Sunday. Benfica paid seventeen million euros in the summer of 2019 to release Vinicius from Napoli, for whom he never played an official game. In Portuguese service he was good for 24 goals and 13 assists. Vinicius previously wore the shirt of AS Monaco, Rio Ave, Real SC, Grêmio Esportivo Anápolis, Palmeiras and Santos.
“My mission is clear: I’m here to score goals and become champions,” said the Brazilian forward. “I am very happy to be here and I want to thank everyone for the warm welcome I received today. My first impression of PSV is good. In Brazil, of course, we know the club because of all the compatriots who played and play here. I spoke with André Ramalho and Bruma about PSV. I feel welcome and look forward to making it a great period together with everyone who cares about the club.”