Pelé completes move to Monaco from Portuguese side Rio Ave

Rio Ave's defensive midfielder Pelé has finalised his transfer to French outfit Monaco for a fee in the region of £9million after an impressive season in Portugal, helping Rio Ave to a 5th-place finish, the club's best league position since 1982.

Despite previously having publicly announced his dream of one day playing in the English Premier League, Pelé, 26, has been brought into the French club to replace Liverpool-bound Fabinho, who is another former Rio Ave player, and Pelé and fans alike will both be hoping that he lives up to the footballing heights of his Brazilian predecessor.

Pelé, a former Portugal under-21 international, was heavily linked to Wolverhampton Wanderers throughout the season, but ultimately no firm interest was shown in the player from the newly-promoted English club, and a move to Monaco to link up with Portuguese manager Leonardo Jardim has now become a reality.

Benfica, who still held half the financial rights of any Pelé sale, will receive 50% of the fee being paid by Monaco.