Yahoo News Nottingham Forest complete transfer deadline day signing before summer window closes
Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of defender Morato from Benfica.
The left-footed centre-back has put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Reds on transfer deadline day. He becomes the club’s 10th new addition of the summer window.
Brazilian Morato came up through the ranks at Sao Paulo in his homeland. He made the switch to Benfica in 2019 and has racked up 64 appearances for the Portuguese side since then.
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The 23-year-old, who is also capable of playing left-back, joins a strong Brazilian contingent already in place at the City Ground. He will link up with fellow countrymen Murillo, Danilo and Carlos Miguel on the banks of the Trent.
According to publication Premier League Brasil, the deal is made up of an initial €11 million pay-out with Benfica to receive a further €6m in easily-achievable add-ons. It is said the Portuguese side will also receive 15 percent of the value of any future sale.
Forest had already strengthened head coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s central defensive ranks prior to Morato signing. Serbian Nikola Milenkovic penned a five-year deal from Fiorentina last month.
Chief football officer Ross Wilson said: "Morato has been been in our thoughts and discussions to come into the squad for several transfer windows, and we're delighted to have him join us today. We're sure he'll feel at home here in Nottingham and he will quickly become embedded and integrated as part of the squad."
It has proved to be a busy window for the Reds as they aim to push on in the Premier League this term. Morato follows Milenkovic, Eric da Silva Moreira, Elliot Anderson, Carlos Miguel, Jota Silva, Ramon Sosa and Alex Moreno in linking up with Nuno’s squad. Marko Stamenic and David Carmo were also added but immediately headed out on loan to fellow Evangelos Marinakis-owned side Olympiacos.
Forest have made a positive start to the season and are looking to kick on in the top-flight after successive relegation battles since promotion two years ago. They have picked up four points from their opening two games of the campaign and will aim to continue their good form at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
