Guernsey Press

5 things you might not know about Fabinho

Fabinho began his career with Fluminense.

Published

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.

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

Soccer – UEFA Super Cup Final – Manchester United v Zenit St Petersberg – Stade Louis II
Jorge Mendes has been the driving force behind many successful careers in football (Neal Simpson/EMPICS)

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.

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