THE HAGUE, Netherlands, November 8 – Highly-rated Belgian teenage playmaker Andreas Hoelgebaum Pereira will sign his first professional contract with English Premier League champions Manchester United in January according to Dutch media reports on Monday.
The 15-year-old – who is of Brazilian origin – has come through the youth system of Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven and had been tracked by several major European clubs including AC Milan and United’s Premier League rivals Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs.
Pereira, who PSV plucked from Belgian side Lommel a few years ago, said he owed a lot to PSV for putting him through their youth system but he didn’t have second thoughts once United came calling.
“I know that PSV gave me my opportunity but Manchester United is a huge club,” he said.
“Other British clubs were interested in me but Manchester is the club which I have always dreamed of.
“I went there several times to see the set-up and to speak to Sir Alex Ferguson.
“It is awe-inspiring to be 15 years old and to be speaking to him.”
Pereira – son of a Brazilian former footballer Marcos Pereira who played for Belgian sides Mechelen, St-Truiden and Antwerp – will sign on January 1, the date of his 16th birthday, and be part of the United Under-19 squad.
