Rio de Janeiro, Sep 2 (IANS) French football club Marseille have signed highly rated Brazilian defender Doria in an 11th-hour swoop before the close of the European transfer window.
The 19-year-old Brazil under-20 captain joined the French outfit from Botafogo late Monday for a reported 10 million-euro fee, reports Xinhua.
“I’m very happy, honoured and proud to join Marseille,” Doria said on the Ligue One club’s official website.
“This is one of the biggest clubs in Europe and well known in Brazil.”
Marseille beat strong interest from other European clubs with Benfica, Porto, Monaco and Juventus having been linked to the teenager.
Doria played 93 matches for Botafogo after making his first-team debut for the Rio de Janeiro club in 2012.