The rise of Cherries forward sensation Rayan continues to gain pace. Following a successful start to his Bournemouth career he'll now capture the attention on football's biggest stage after being selected for Brazil's World Cup squad this summer.
The signing of Rayan for the Cherries in January felt a big statement of intent from the club and it's certainly been a remarkably smooth and quick transition from Rayan himself. Impressing in his home nation of Brazil, Rayan has adapted seamlessly to football in England's top flight to help Bournemouth soar up the Premier League table.
His performances on the south coast were not only rewarded with a first senior call up for Brazil, but now Carlo Ancelotti has named the teenage star in his Brazil squad ahead of this summer's World Cup.
Rayan signed for the Cherries in January of this year from Vasco Da Gama, in a deal worth upwards of £25 million pounds. Since then he's not only impressed with his exhilarating performance for the club but also in numbers, already registering five goals and three assists in a short space of time.
The Brazilian arrived on the south coast with a growing reputation in his home country, he was certainly viewed as one to be excited about for the future. But instead, the young forward has instantly become a key player at the Vitality Stadium, delivering a series of thrilling performances that have helped elevate Bournemouth’s ambitions during the second half of the campaign. Cherries fans have been seriously impressed, not just for his technical ability, but also his maturity - so have pundits such as Jermain Defoe, who can't praise Rayan enough.
Despite his age, Rayan has looked composed under pressure and increasingly comfortable against some of the Premier League’s toughest opponents. His work rate off the ball and willingness to press from the front have also made him a natural fit for Iraola’s intense style of football on the south coast. As the club continue pushing towards what could become a historic European qualification spot, Rayan’s emergence has been one of the defining stories of the club’s latter part of the season.
His performances have now not only excited Cherries supporters, but also attracted growing attention back in Brazil, with plenty of Vasco Da Gama fans continuing to follow his journey.
Rayan has many arrows to his bow, he's blessed with electric pace, sharp footwork and a fearless approach in his direct drilling at his opposing fullback. There's no doubt Rayan has brought a fresh dynamic to Andoni Iraola’s attack, whether that be starting matches or making an impact from the bench, the Brazilian has consistently been a menace for Premier League defenders and his numbers are there to back that up.
It's fitting that Rayan has been rewarded with a place in Brazil’s squad ahead of this summer’s World Cup, it truly is a remarkable achievement for a player who only arrived in English football a few months ago.
For the Cherries, Rayan already looks like far more than a promising young signing. He looks like a future superstar.
