Pereira on his dream come true

The Portuguese right-back arrives in BS3 on a season-long loan from Benfica, in what will be a completely new experience for the defender.

After signing for the top-flight Portugal side, he spent half the 2017/18 season and the entire 2018/19 campaign on loan at Genoa, in Serie A.

Now he’s preparing to help Lee Johnson’s side in their Sky Bet Championship quest and for Pereira, it’s a dream turned reality and he’s ready to take his chance by storm.

Speaking about his new surroundings, the 21-year-old told the official club website: “I think this is a very important club, a well-structured club with awesome facilities. I just want to help the team conquer their goals.

“What drew me to the club was the mentality, first by talking to the coach (Lee Johnson), the mentality and the objectives he has for the season impressed me. I think I have the same ambitions and as soon as I knew of the possibility to come here, I was happy and I wanted to come.

“I always dreamed of coming to England, so this is a dream come true and I just can’t wait to play with the team. Playing in Italy and with Benfica has helped me grow a lot as a player and as a person so I want to continue growing and Bristol City is the perfect place to do it.

“I think this is a very strong, young team that has a lot of will to train hard to improve. They have the same mentality as I do, I just want to train and help the team as much as I can.”

Pereira links up with Johnson’s team as they prepare to take on Birmingham City on matchday two this weekend (August 10^th, 3pm KO). Click here for tickets.

He will wear the number 32 shirt during his loan this season. City have the option to buy the defender at the end of the campaign.

Gallery: Pereira's first pictures