By the end of the first training session, Steve Cooper knew he had a gem on his hands.
Players were joining Nottingham Forest at a dizzying rate. This one, bought for £10.3million from Brazilian giants Corinthians on the strength of only 27 senior appearances, had a lot to prove. Within hours, his coaches were looking at each other, wide-eyed with excitement.
Murillo Santiago Costa dos Santos had ticked every box. Now, he is now one of the best young defenders in the world.
Murillo is the rock on which Forest’s push for Champions League football is built.