Gabriel Jesus touches down to begin his Manchester City career... but the Brazilian doesn't seem too happy with the cold British weather 

  • Gabriel Jesus arrived in Manchester to begin his adventure in English football
  • Jesus joined Manchester City for £27million but remained in his homeland
  • He met fans and posed for photos after arriving in Manchester on Tuesday
  • The Brazilian has been accompanied by his mother and two childhood friends
  • They huddled together in the back of a taxi to take shelter from the cold weather

Gabriel Jesus has arrived in England as the young Brazilian prepares to begin his career with Manchester City.

The 19-year-old agreed a £27million move to the Etihad Stadium last summer but remained in his homeland with Palmeiras for the remainder of the year, where he helped the Sao Paulo-based club win the league title for the first time in 22 years prior to an emotional departure.

He touched down at Manchester Airport on Tuesday morning and was all smiles at the start of his new life in Europe as he headed to a taxi from the arrivals terminal.

Gabriel Jesus (left) has arrived in England to begin his career with Manchester City

The teenage striker travelled to Manchester with his mother and two childhood friends 

The group huddled together in the back of a taxi as they met the cold English weather

Jesus arrived in England alongside childhood friends Fabio Lucio (far left) and Higor Braga

As well as his mother, Jesus has been accompanied to England by childhood friends Fabio Lucio and Higor Braga. The trio are thought to be inseparable having grown up together in the Jardim Peri neighbourhood, in the Sao Paulo district of Cachoeirinha.   

Dressed in a grey adidas hoodie, blue jeans and a black baseball cap, Jesus carried two bags of duty free as he shook hands with fans and posed for pictures after arriving in the city. 

He will have plenty to adapt to after moving nearly 6,000 miles from home, perhaps most notably the English weather.

Jesus left at a time when residents of his home city are enjoying temperatures nearing 30 degrees Celcius, but he appeared to struggle with the winter conditions in Manchester as he and his travelling party huddled in the back of the cab.

Jesus's friend, Fabio Lucio, posted this image of the travelling part in Paris on Tuesday 

The talented teenager agreed a £27million move to the Etihad Stadium in the summer

After staying with Palmeiras for the rest of the year, he has now made his move to England

He will also need to adapt to the style of football in the Premier League, with a potential first appearance coming at West Ham in the FA Cup on Friday night. 

The youngster left Brazil following a party, thrown in his honour, on Sunday, where 500 well-wishers ensured one of the country's most promising talents was given a spectacular send off.

His departure was an emotional one, though, with Jesus admitting leaving Palmeiras after so many years was a tough decision.

'It's time for goodbye,' he wrote on Instagram. 'How hard it is to say goodbye to something that has done you so well. How painful it is to say goodbye to what has transformed your life and your family.

Jesus, who shook hands with fans at Manchester Airport, could make his City debut on Friday

GABRIEL JESUS FACTFILE

Born: April 3, 1997, Sao Paulo (age: 19)

Position: Forward

Clubs:

2015-16 Palmeiras

2016-present Manchester City

International:

Brazil - 6 caps, five goals

Honours:

Brazilian league - 2016

Brazilian cup - 2015 

Olympic gold medal - 2016  

 

CLICK HERE to read all you need to know about Gabriel Jesus.

'I arrived at Palmeiras a child and I remember every day in here. As every walk had its difficulties, difficult moments that made him want to give up, but I believed in my dream and it came to fruition.

'I will never forget what I lived here. When I close my eyes comes the sound of the crowd singing "Gloria alleluia, it's Gabriel Jesus".

'But life has to go on and it's time to say goodbye, say no, thank you.' 

His arrival in Manchester on Tuesday is not the first time he's visited the city, though, following a whistle-stop tour in December at the conclusion of the Brazilian season.

Jesus had dinner with fellow Brazilians Fernando and Fernandinho, as well as manager Pep Guardiola, before taking in City's home defeat by Chelsea.

'The manager seemed like a great person,' Jesus said. 'Everyone knows his coaching quality, but the character is more important. 

Jesus helped his boyhood club to their first title in 22 years before leaving for life in England

'Our first meeting was good. He's a technician who likes Brazilians. He gave me a plan. Since he first called me, our contact has been very good.

'Guardiola gave me a hard time, saying I can't drink Coke. I don't even like it!'  

He was mobbed by fans at various points during his visit in December, with supporters wanting pictures and autographs, while the striker at one point bizarrely signed a block of cheese for one female fan who was out Christmas shopping.

Jesus (right) celebrates a goal for Brazil against Argentina with Phillippe Coutinho and Neymar

City's new forward has a special connection to the No 33 shirt, having worn it at Palmeiras and is set to don it again when he begins his career with the Premier League club.

'I had told them it’s hard without the 33,' Jesus said. 'I want this number because I used it since I was promoted at Palmeiras.' 

He arrives at a time when City are sitting third in the Premier League table, seven points behind leaders Chelsea, and is now set to put pressure on Sergio Aguero and Kelechi Iheanacho for a place in Guardiola's forward line.

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