Inter complete Gabriel capture

Inter have signed Brazil striker Gabriel Barbosa on a five-year deal from Santos.

Gabriel has been heavily linked with a number of European clubs, including Premier League champions Leicester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter’s Serie A rivals Juventus.

Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund have also been reported to be keen on his services, but it is Inter who have won the race for his signature.

He is the latest addition in what has been a busy transfer window for the Milan giants, whose other signings include wingers Joao Mario and Antonio Candreva and attacking midfielder Ever Banega.

An official club statement read: “Gabriel Barbosa Almeida received a bonus present today after officially signing as an Inter player on his 20th birthday.

“As we wait to see him in action at San Siro, the Nerazzurri club and fans give Gabigol a warm welcome to the club, wishing him a happy birthday and a fantastic career in a Nerazzurri shirt.”

. @gabigol joins #Inter on a five-year contract! https://t.co/PXTHZM9MUi #WelcomeGabigol #FCIM pic.twitter.com/8ogjXmKjQj

— F.C. Internazionale (@Inter_en) August 30, 2016

Gabriel joins Inter on his 20th birthday after what has been a rapid rise for the forward.

He scored on his Brazil debut in the 2-0 win over Panama in March and has now struck twice in four games for the national side.

Gabriel represented his country at the Copa America Centenario and struck a brace in the final Rio 2016 group game against Denmark as the host nation went on to win Olympic gold.

After making his Santos debut as a substitute in Neymar’s final match before departing for Barcelona in 2013, Gabriel scored 57 times in 157 appearances in all competitions and won the Campeonato Paulista in 2015 and 2016.

Now he moves to an Inter side that has made a poor start to the new season under Frank de Boer despite the heavy investment in the squad.

Inter were beaten 2-0 by Chievo in the opening game of the campaign and followed up that defeat with a 1-1 home draw with Palermo.

Gabriel is currently on international duty with Brazil ahead of their World Cup 2018 qualifiers against Ecuador and Colombia and could make his debut for Inter on September 11 when they travel to Pescara.