Bayern's newest stud: Who is Renato Sanches?

Amid speculation linking Benfica's teenage star Renato Sanches with some of Europe's bigger sides, Bayern Munich came out of nowhere to sign the central midfielder for a reported fee of €35 million on Tuesday.

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Sanches, 18, has emerged as one of the continent's most coveted youngsters on the heels of a breakout season with Benfica, prompting his blockbuster move to the Bavarian giant.

Now that the twice-capped Portuguese international has joined the recently-crowned Bundesliga champ, here's a look at the defensive midfielder:

Renato's rapid rise

Born and raised in Lisbon, Sanches joined Benfica's academy at the age of nine before debuting for the club's B team in October 2014 as a 17-year-old. The defensive midfielder was called up to the senior team for training ahead of the 2015-16 campaign, forcing his way into the side after impressing manager Rui Vitoria.

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Sanches' emergence prompted a six-year contract in October before making his first start in November in a Champions League clash with Astana. A week later, he made his first league start versus Braga.

The purveyor of robust tackles has since made 24 Primeira Liga appearances coupled with six starts in the Champions League, including a mature two-legged display against Bayern in the knockout stage.

Virtues of an emerging star

Noted for his poise in a position typically dominated by older players, Sanches' displays both domestically and continentally indicate his star potential.

Sanches has appeared in 92 percent of Benfica's league matches since his debut in October 2015. A box-to-box midfielder, he can dictate the tempo of a match.

In a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Zenit St. Petersburg in the Champions League's Round of 16, Sanches made eight tackles and three interceptions. He led the tournament in duels for an outfield player, winning 57 percent of challenges, with his 7.17 duels per match the best among teenagers in Europe.

Only teammate Andreas Samaris has completed more forward passes than Sanches, highlighting a positional awareness typically reserved for players several years older.

He also has a hammer for a right foot, with his Goal of the Month against Vitoria de Guimares in January highlighting the potential the teenager has to dominate at both ends of the pitch.

What others think

"Renato Sanches is a dynamic, technically gifted midfielder who is strong in the tackle and will strengthen our squad," Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said Tuesday.

"He's by far and away one of the best young players in Europe," departing Bayern gaffer Pep Guardiola offered after the Germans bested Benfica in the Champions League. "He's got a lot of quality and personality, and he runs a lot. He's got a great future ahead of him."

After the teenager made his first senior team start, Benfica boss Vitoria said: "Renato was wonderful. A first start at Estadio da Luz for a young man is every player's dream. It was a great (full home) debut. Surely he will not forget this performance."