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Now-eligible Gabriel Jesus sets City mission: 'I want to win titles'

@PepTeam / Twitter

Manchester City has finally dotted the Is and crossed the Ts on Gabriel Jesus' £27-million move from Palmeiras.

The Brazilian will be available for selection in Saturday's visit from Tottenham Hotspur, switching focus to England after helping fire his former club to its first Campeonato Brasileiro since 1994 while collecting the Serie A's Golden Boot prize.

"I want to win titles and Manchester City is a club that is used to winning," said the forward, before detailing why he chose the Eastlands outfit over a host of interested European giants.

"City is a club that always competes for the title in the competitions it enters, so that was an important factor, and because of the manager, (Pep) Guardiola, and the squad."

The 19-year-old is eligible after the Football Association completed the due diligence process in his deal, meaning he'll now vie for a spot in City's attack. He can play across the forward line, putting him in direct competition with terrace icon Sergio Aguero, Nigerian youngster Kelechi Iheanacho, and the collection of wingers at Guardiola's disposal, such as Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane.

Related - Analysis: How Gabriel Jesus will fit in at Manchester City

Jesus will wear the No. 33 shirt - notably the same worn by centre-half and captain Vincent Kompany during his early days manning the midfield for the club - in a nod to the age of Christ, and says he'll stick with that jersey during his City stay.

(Courtesy: @ManCity)

"I've asked for it," he told the club website. "It's the number I've been wearing since I turned professional, it's a number I ended up with and I really liked, and I intend to wear it for many years."

Jesus joins amid hype justified by his 12 goals en route to Palmeiras' league success, and after scoring five and assisting on four occasions in his six Brazil caps so far. He struck up an immediate understanding with Barcelona star Neymar in the fluid Canarinho attack since making his two-goal international debut against Ecuador in September.

"Gabriel is a technically gifted player who was chased by some of Europe’s biggest clubs and we are delighted he decided to join City," said the club's director of football Txiki Begiristain.

(Courtesy: @ManCity)

"He has the potential to become one of the best attacking players in the game and we look forward to watching him develop further here in Manchester.

"I think with Pep Guardiola as manager and the squad we already have here, Jesus has the perfect platform to reach his full potential."

Manchester City is reeling after a shock 4-0 trouncing at the hands of Everton last time out, and hosts a Spurs side this weekend that has won each of its last seven competitive outings.

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