SPECIAL: Meet The New Taffarel – Milan’s Magnificent Goalkeeper Gabriel

All you need to know about Milan’s third purchase for next term…

Milan’s CEO Adriano Galliani and DS Areido Braida are once again doing a good job with transfers so far. Braida and super-agent Mino Raiola took the opportunity to capture the young Brazilian goalkeeper, after player’s reported contract renewal quarrel with Cruzeiro.

After former Milan ‘keeper Nelson Dida, yet another young prospect is about to arrive, who is expected to become Milan’s future No. 1 goalkeeper. The player is set to undergo medical examinations on Tuesday and if passes, his arrival will be announced shortly after. The 1.93 m. tall and 84 kg. talent is often compared to his compatriot Taffarel – the Brazilian king on the goal line.

Gabriel comes to Milan for a cheap price of somewhere between €300,000 and €500,000. His contract with Cruzeiro expired in May, but the Brazilian club put a hold on the deal until November 2012. Nevertheless, Milan will have to pay for his signature.

The teenager never stood a chance of getting time at the Brazilian club, as he was forced to play behind club legend and captain Fabio, who has made 399 appearances for the club.

At 19, going on 20 on September 27, Gabriel Vasconcellos Ferreira is a young player with a lot of potential. He could possibly go out on loan, but it was wise of Milan to bring in the young keeper with Abbiati near retirement and Marco Amelia not getting any younger either.

The most pleasing thing about the shot-stopper is the fact that he has a European Union passport, which means he does not take up an international slot in the transfer plans of Milan.

The youngster is the ideal pickup by Milan’s CEO Adriano Galliani. First and most obvious, Milan have an excellent track record of finding talented, young Brazilians. Look no further than Thiago Silva, Alexandre Pato and most notably Kaka. Other Brazilians such as Dida, Ronaldinho and Robinho have done well in the Milan squad throughout the last decade.

Gabriel’s goalkeeper idol is Inter’s Julio Cesar. However his favorite player is Milan former star Kaka. He joins Fiorentina’s Riccardo Montolivo and Nancy’s Bakaye Traore as the newest additions to Milan since the season ended last week.