FOOTBALLING royalty is preparing to grace the grounds of Hull City as they are set to land the son of Ronaldinho in a shock transfer, according to reports.
Joao Mendes, son of Samba king Ronaldinho, has been quietly progressing his football career in England with Burnley.
Joao Mendes is set to join Hull in a shock transfer[/caption]
He is the son of football legend Ronaldinho[/caption]
Mendes had been playing at Burnley since last year before he was released this summer[/caption]
The 20-year-old joined the Clarets last summer following his arrival from Barcelona – where his father won the coveted Ballon d’Or during his own playing days.
However, Mendes is now set to switch Lancashire for Yorkshire with a reported move to Hull on the cusp of being completed.
Hull Live report Mendes is expected to link up with the Under-21s set-up at Bishop Burton College in the coming days.
Mendes, a left-footed winger, played five times in the Premier League Cup last season, scoring one goal and assisting two.
But he was one of 13 Under-21 stars released by Burnley this summer, paving the way for another shock transfer in England.
In an interview with ESPN in February this year, Mendes admitted adapting to the colder climate of the UK was challenging at first, but said he loved the passion fans showed at games.
He said: “It’s difficult at first, there’s no denying that.
“Even more so now in winter and here, as it’s in the north, it’s a bit worse. If you put on a glove, two socks, we can manage.
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“Even though it’s a small town, people are very passionate and connected to football.
“You can see it at matches here, because [the fans] always fill the stadium.
“I think that’s very nice here, the connection they have with the club is very big.”
Mendes also spoke about his father’s legacy, adding he wanted to be his own player and escape the shadow of the 45-year-old.
He continued: “I want to be Joao, regardless of anything. I never tried to be my father, I never wanted to be my father.
“So to get away a bit from where he played and what’s close, I think it was a good start and a good step for me.
“I think people on the outside want you to be something you’re never going to be, whether you like it or not, right?”
At Hull, Mendes will not be the only player with a famous father behind them.
He will now be accompanied by Zac Jagielka, the son of former Everton and England international Phil Jagielka.
But despite his father representing the Three Lions on no fewer than 40 occasions, Zac has turned out for the Wales youth international set-up since 2023.
Zac Jagielka also plays in the Hull Academy[/caption]