FC client Alefe Santos signs for Derby County

Full Contact client Alefe Santos has today completed his move to Championship club Derby County.

Alefe, 19, pictured here putting pen to paper at the Rams alongside Full Contact’s Head of Football Lee Payne has signed a two year contract.

Alefe featured on 27 occasions for Bristol Rovers last season, but after choosing to reject the new contract offered to him he soon became a target for a number of clubs, including those in the Premier League.

Lee Payne explained “Whilst Bristol Rovers gave Alefe a fabulous platform to break through in to first team football, we all felt that if the opportunity came up to join a club where he could really develop his natural talent we would have to look at that.  Quite a few options emerged, but once Alefe knew of Steve McLaren’s interest in him, and saw the set up at Derby, things developed quickly and led to a concluded deal.  We are so pleased for Alefe, and think at Derby he has found the right club who will bring the best out of his quite superb natural ability.”

Alefe, on completing his move to Derby (pictured here with manager Steve McLaren), commented “I need to thank all of the wonderful people at Bristol Rovers who have done so much for me since I joined the club; the coaches, the staff, the directors and the support of the fans has been incredible, even in a season where the club struggled. I am sorry to be leaving them all behind but hope they can understand that the opportunity to join a club the size of Derby County was just too good to turn down.  I have a lot to learn still but I am so excited about the challenge ahead.”  

All at Full Contact – including Lloyd McCormack who first introduced Alefe to Lee and Dan Chapman – are delighted for Alefe, and wish him and Derby County all the best for the coming season.  Alefe joins fellow Full Contact client Kelle Roos at Pride Park.

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