Ajax complete signing of Portuguese forward Carlos Forbs from Manchester City
Dutch giants Ajax have confirmed the capture of Portuguese sensation Carlos Forbs from Manchester City on a five-year contract, having hijacked West Ham United’s deal for the forward.
Forbs, who until recently went by the name Carlos Borges, looked set to move to London with West Ham, but Ajax arrived late to overtake the Hammers in the race for his signature. City will receive an initial fee of €14m, which could rise to €19m with add-ons.
Forbs was named the Premier League 2 Player of the Year last term, as well as earning the award for City’s academy Player of the Season. His 21 goals and 11 assists registered in just 24 appearances not only led to the individual accolades, but also strong interest from other clubs, with West Ham believing they were on the verge of securing the transfer until Ajax’s late intervention.
Raised in Sintra, the attacker of Bissau-Guinean descent began life playing futsal at Núcleo de Sintra, before joining Sporting’s academy in 2013-14. His family moved to England two years later, where Forbs joined Manchester City’s under-12 side and steadily rose through the ranks.
Full name Carlos Roberto Forbs Borges, the 19-year-old previously went by Carlos Borges, but has now opted for Forbs as the name across the back of his Ajax shirt. The Amsterdam side will be an interesting prospect for Portuguese viewers during the upcoming season, with young winger Francisco Conceição already at the famous Dutch club.
By Sean Gillen