As Wolves make exciting young right-back Pedro Lima their third summer signing, arriving at Molineux on a five-year deal, wolves.co.uk explores what the Brazilian will bring to Gary O’Neil’s squad.
Profile
- Name: Pedro Henrique Cardoso de Lima
- Date of birth: 1st July 2006
- Position: Right-back
- Nationality: Brazil
- Previous club: Sport Recife
- Appearances: 26
- Goals: 2
- Assists: 2
Background
Born just a stone’s throw away from new Wolves teammate Matheus Cunha in Paraiba, Lima comes from a futsal background, which is very common in players coming from Brazil – and especially in the northeast of the country where he originates. During his time with his futsal club, Lima earned rave reviews while claiming several trophies and scoring some incredible goals, while he also led his club as top scorer at a young age.
He didn’t start playing 11-a-side at club academy level until he began his education at Sport Recife when he was 15. Often a second division team in Brazil, but has been flirting around promotion into the top flight, Recife helped Lima progress quickly and he adapted well to the grass. He was able to transfer his futsal skills onto the big pitch with relative ease and has benefitted his on-the-ball ability.
His manager at Recife, Mariano Soso, was also a right-back during his playing career and the Argentinian played a big part in supporting Lima’s breakthrough and development as a young player.
Agent Cunha at work 🇧🇷👔 pic.twitter.com/sG5aXVFdsZ
— Wolves (@Wolves) July 2, 2024
Playing style
A player who is extremely comfortable on the ball, thanks in no small part to his futsal background, Lima has the potential to be a complete full-back in terms of the skill set which he currently possesses, something which is becoming more and more rare in young, modern-day full-backs who are much more attack driven.
Lima likes to defend, both in front, in terms of getting into his man quickly and competing to win the ball, but also having the speed to cover back on an opposition counter-attack. However, he also enjoys being part of his team’s attacking play, as he gets forward and contributes in the final third when his team are in possession, where he has also shown impressive speed.
As a recently turned 18-year-old, there are various areas of Lima’s game that still need improvement, but working under Gary O’Neil and his staff on a daily basis at Compton Park – who already have an impressive track record of improving players during their time at Wolves – will go a long way to making Lima the complete full-back the club hopes he will become.
Recruitment
Wolves’ recruitment team always profile nations at international tournaments across the age groups, as they are a good tool to flag players, because teams are saying these are the best players in their selection. Lima was first flagged up to the club while playing for his country at the U17 World Cup, and the fact he came to the competition from one of the lower ranked teams in Brazil, was a big indicator of his potential.
From profile alone – as Brazil’s starting right-back – he immediately stood out to the recruitment team, who carried out further analysis using Sport Recife under-17 games. The club first got in touch with Lima’s representatives in November 2023 to show interest, while also watching him at various under-20 competitions before he progressed into Recife’s senior side.
Earlier this year, the club’s head of scouting went out to Brazil to join the club’s South American scout to watch Lima play live, which confirmed everything the club had seen through the video and data. Wolves then battled for Lima’s signature, with the recruitment team feeling the little personal things they have done differently to other clubs have made a big difference in getting the player to commit his future to the Old Gold.
The new boys 👋 pic.twitter.com/oad3DZ2WN1
— Wolves (@Wolves) July 3, 2024
Attitude
Before Wolves sign a player, the recruitment team also carry out an analysis of the player as a person, as well as what he is like as a football. The club looks at every aspect to make sure he is the right fit for what the sporting director and head coach wants. Hours of analysing social media, interviews Lima was doing – as he was attracting local attention from his state because of the great honour for a north-eastern player to represent the national team – as well as speaking to previous teammates and staff displayed a young boy who was mature beyond his years.
Lima is devoted to his community and especially his church having led sermons, which is a striking feat for a teenager, and ticked more of the boxes on Wolves’ checklist. A very humble and kind boy, Lima also has the ambition which attracted the club to him. Wolves’ head of scouting was very impressed when meeting face to face earlier this year, as he showed great understanding, maturity and grounding, despite not speaking much English.
The right-back has also shown this maturity on the pitch, as despite being the youngest player in Serie B this season, he has not be fazed when he’s playing for a team whose fans have high expectations, and although the level is very demanding, he has not looked out of place. Now signing for Wolves, it is expected Lima will fit in well with the group, especially due to the Brazilian and Portuguese-speaking members of the playing squad and staff.
