Attacking midfielder Gustavo Scarpa says he is looking forward to realising a dream as he prepares to make the move to Nottingham Forest.
The 28-year-old is due to link up with the Reds in the new year, having penned a pre-contract agreement. His deal with Brazilian side Palmeiras runs out at the end of 2022, with their season coming to a close this month.
Scarpa will sign off in style ahead of his switch to English football. He has been in fine form and played a key role in helping his club clinch the league title.
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“While I'm happy that I'm about to fulfil a dream, I'm sad that it took me so long to achieve what I achieved here at Palmeiras, to go out on a high,” he told SporTV. “I haven't defined what I'm feeling yet. I know I'm very happy for the title!”
Scarpa was at the heart of Palmeiras’ celebrations following confirmation of their success. According to Brazilian outlet Terra, he “skated on a mini rink set up on the Allianz Parque lawn and performed the traditional ritual of eating Trakinas cookies and condensed milk, this time accompanied by President Leila Pereira”. After a lap of honour following a 4-0 victory over Fortaleza, it is said he “risked some tricks and won a skateboard from Sandro Dias, aka Mineirinho, a six-time world champion skater”.
"Sandro had already given me the tips,” Scarpa said in a translated interview. “Despite the rain there, I managed to drop, I managed to send an oli, a flip, I was already satisfied.
"This tribute from Palmeiras, without a doubt, was the greatest I received. It will be marked in my memory forever.”
Scarpa is said to have signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Forest. He recently passed the landmark of 100 “direct participations in goals” for Palmeiras.
So far this season he has notched 10 goals in 41 appearances and is also in double-figures for assists. He is suspended for a match against Cuiaba this weekend, but his team have two games to play after that before the campaign wraps up.
“I can't (project when the last match will be). I've been trying to avoid thinking about the future,” he said. “I want to seize the moment. I can't nail anything. I have two games here yet, I'm going to enjoy the moment.”
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