Endrick signs first professional Palmeiras contract

Palmeiras sensation Endrick has celebrated his 16th birthday by signing his first professional contract at the club.

The young striker rose to prominence earlier this season with some breath-taking performances for Palmeiras' academy, with Real Madrid and Barcelona both seeing Endrick as the next star to emerge out of Brazil.

90min understands that Endrick has already opted to sign for Real although international rules means he may have to wait until 2024 to make the move, allowing him to sign his first professional deal with Palmeiras in the mean time.

This contract is understood to contain a €60m release clause.

"It's a feeling of pride to see what I have planted and what I am reaping with the beginning of this new cycle," Endrick said. "I am grateful for the trust of Palmeiras. I will continue to stay humble with my feet on the ground.

"Palmeiras were the only club that always believed in me. They took me in when I was ten years old when I first went on trial here. They always bet on me and this is further proof of that.

"For me, I'm never satisfied, I always want more. Palmeiras will grow more and more. They are the greatest champions in Brazil. They are the team of my heart. I will have gratitude for the rest of my life.

"It is not easy to play for Palmeiras, they are a team with many stars. I'm going to learn a lot from them. I've already received a lot of advice when I came to train here. I really admire all the forwards in the squad. I see the determination they have. That's how you have to be to play for Palmeiras. In the first team and in the academy, Palmeiras have to be winning."

There could be space for Endrick in the Palmeiras first team next season after a deal was struck to sell fellow wonderkid Gabriel Veron, a one-time target of Manchester United, to Porto for a cool €10m.