Real Madrid wonderkid Endrick has lifted the lid on his transfer to the LaLiga giants after he snubbed moves to Barcelona, PSG and Chelsea last year and claimed that Vinicius Jr played a huge part in making the move happen.
The 16-year-old forward, who is being hailed as one of the most exciting young prospects in world football, was snapped up by the Spanish club in a deal that is set to net his current club, Palmeiras, upwards of £62million.
While the move will not take place until 2024 when he turns 18, the teenager, who hoisted the Brazil Supercopa earlier this year with his current side, has been sought after by many clubs, with Carlo Ancelotti's side turning down a move for Erling Haaland and opting to sign him instead.
The move is an exciting one for the future talent, who has scored seven goals in 29 appearances for the Brazilian side this season, but revealed that his compatriot and future Madrid team-mate, Vinicius was a huge part in coaxing him to the club.
While he admitted that 'he always wanted to be a Madrid player' he said Vinicius, who he also went on holiday with, reassured him about joining the team and helped him 'close the deal'.
'Vinicius is a friend of mine. I was able to spend the holidays with him, I was able to see him and talk to him,' Endrick said in an interview with Marca.
'He told me a lot of things about Real Madrid. He told me I'm going to be fine. It is a very good message knowing that it is the word of a player who is there and also Brazilian. By playing there he becomes an idol for me.
'It can become a mirror for many people. His word gave me even more strength to close it with Real Madrid. Before I went on vacation with him I had already closed it. So I arrived calmer. I talked to him, to the people there and I thank God for that.'
It comes as Vinicius Jr this week signed a new four-year contract with the 14-time European Champions that Mail Sport believes includes a release clause of £856million - an instrument that is reportedly being used to stop Saudi Arabian clubs from attempting to sign him.
Speculation had mounted this season over the Brazil winger's future at the club after he has suffered racial abuse on several occasions this season.
He'll now link up with his compatriot, Endrick, who has also played for his national side, earning four caps while scoring five goals for Brazil U17.
The centre-forward had struggled to score at times this season, failing to find the back of the net for 14 games, but broke down in tears back in February after he finally ended his drought.
But after snubbing all of Chelsea, PSG and Barcelona, the 16-year-old has lifted the lid on his Madrid move, admitted that he always had his heart set on joining the Spanish giants, but also claimed he was 'not afraid' amid much hype and talk about his footballing abilities.
'Real Madrid is a team I love. The team I grew up watching play. I grew up watching the idols of Real Madrid and when I started to like it more I went to look for more of the story and there is even a funny anecdote that I will not tell here, but my parents can tell it, right? Well I tell it.' he said.
'My name wasn't going to be Endrick, it was going to be Di Stéfano, who was a Real Madrid player. So I went to look into it. I also looked at the Brazilians who have played like Ronaldo, Vinicius now, Rodrigo, Éder (Militao)... So as I saw my idols play there, as I saw the history of Real Madrid, I became even more interested. I became interested in the biggest club in Europe.
'Then I saw it as a challenge for me to try to play for Madrid, which was the team I always wanted. Play for Real Madrid. That's why I chose Real Madrid. I always wanted to go there.'