Fabinho will join Liverpool on a long-term contract on July 1 after the Champions League finalists agreed a deal with Monaco on Monday.
Here, Press Association Sport looks at five things you might not know about the Brazilian midfielder.
“He has ability and mentality to play at the highest level in a number of positions. He can play ‘6’, ‘8’ and ‘2’. This is cool.” ?
The boss on why he’s so excited about Fabinho signing: https://t.co/6AUt4XUyjg pic.twitter.com/hX49UVnLKk
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 28, 2018
Bye bye, Brazil
Fabinho, who was born in October 1993, barely featured in Brazil before departing for Europe. He graduated from the Fluminense academy as a right-back but was soon off to Rio Ave and, after hardly any time with the Portuguese club, he was off to Real Madrid and their Castilla development squad.
Man like Mendes
The Real deal?
Apparently not. The emergence of Dani Carvajal at the Bernabeu meant Fabinho was unlikely to break through quickly and so he moved to Monaco, initially on loan, from his parent club Rio Ave. He managed only one first-team appearance for Real, providing an assist for Angel Di Maria in a win over Malaga.
Monaco’s main man
Links to United
Fabinho has opted to embark on a career at Anfield but for a long time it appeared that Manchester United might be his preferred UK destination. It was Mourinho who handed the tall Brazilian his Real debut against Malaga and the Portuguese made it clear he wanted to bring a new attacking full-back to Old Trafford last summer, choosing ultimately to field Antonio Valencia ahead of Matteo Darmian.
