Oliveira: Real have signed 'diamond' in Silva
Cruzeiro boss Marcelo Oliveira has told Real Madrid counterpart Carlo Ancelotti he has signed a "diamond" in Lucas Silva.
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Silva completed his move from Cruzeiro to Real for a reported fee of around €14 million on Friday.
Spanish giants Real apparently beat off strong competition to land the 21-year-old midfielder, who is expected to be used as an understudy to Germany star Toni Kroos at the Santiago Bernabeu.
But Oliveira has tipped Brazil Under-21 international Silva to shine in Madrid, and challenge for a spot in Ancelotti's first team sooner rather than later.
"He [Lucas] is very happy as one of his dreams has come true. Ancelotti has got a real diamond," Oliveira told AS.
"He is a technical player with good vision, he can make precise 30-40-metre passes and has a strong shot.
"He will push those already in his position.
"He will need to adapt now to a new formation but I am sure he will develop alongside the quality at Real Madrid."
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Silva is Real's second new recruit of the January transfer window, after they also signed Norwegian wonderkid Martin Odegaard from from Stromsgodset on Thursday.
