U13 2012

Following the steps of other teenage prodigies like Pele, Robinho and Neymar, Santos has now signed 16-year-old sensation Gabriel Barbosa to a three-year contract with a 50-million-euro release fee.

The club announced Tuesday that it had beaten off interest from rival clubs in Brazil and Europe by signing the young star, known as Gabigol.

Gabigol's father Valdemir Silva Almeida:  "There were clubs in Europe interested in him but we are very happy that he has joined Santos."

Gabigol is currently top-scorer in Sao Paulo's Under-17 championship with nine goals, already boasts several sponsorship deals including a lucrative contract with Nike.

"This is something I have wanted since I was eight years old," Gabigol said. "I still have a lot to learn but I want to train as hard as I can and climb the ranks as soon as possible."

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