Wolverhampton Wanderers have completed the signing of Rodrigo Gomes from Portuguese club Braga.
The 20-year-old winger joins on a five-year contract, with the option of a further year, and is Wolves' second signing of the summer transfer window. He follows Tommy Doyle, who was on loan at the club from Manchester City in 2023/24 and has now joined on a permanent deal.
Gomes's first interview
💬 “It’s like a dream come true. It’s really a pleasure to be here, and I’m thankful to Wolves for this opportunity."
— Wolves (@Wolves) June 12, 2024
Rodrigo Gomes' first interview 🎬 pic.twitter.com/jDcWPYsWrv
A Portugal Under-21 international, Gomes spent last season on loan at top-flight Portuguese side Estoril, for whom he produced nine goals and eight assists in 36 appearances.
He joins Wolves' growing group of Portuguese players, including Jose Sa, Nelson Semedo and Pedro Neto.
He is also the third "Gomes" at the club, joining defender Toti Gomes and midfielder Joao Gomes.
Our first Rodrigo, our third Gomes! ✍️ pic.twitter.com/XENTmLAvLT
— Wolves (@Wolves) June 12, 2024
Who is Gomes?
Wolves' sporting director Matt Hobbs says: “I’d call him a wide player who can play on either side. I’ve seen him play on either wing and centrally. His combination play is good, so he can play No 10, but he’s primarily a wide man.
“It’s good if they can play a number of positions. Versatility just for the sake of it doesn’t work, but when they’ve shown quality, players like that really help, meaning we can have fewer players in one position. Primarily his job is to complement the attacking side of our game with his pace and delivery. Versatility is important because he can fill in a number of positions.”
Gomes was born in Povoa de Varzim, Portugal on 7 July 2003. He grew up just 25 miles from Pedro Neto.
Like Neto, he is a product of Braga's academy, having joined them aged 11. Gomes impressed through every age group before earning a senior debut in 2020 at the age of 17.
Rodrigo Gomes | ‘It’s like a dream come true’
He played 31 Primeira Liga games across three campaigns as Braga finished in the top four each season.
Last summer, he moved on loan to Estoril, the club where Wolves duo Toti and Chiquinho and former Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes, now of Man City, all played as youngsters.
He scored three goals and produced two assists in six appearances for Portugal Under-21s last season.
See: Summer 2024 transfers & news
2024/25 pre-season fixtures
Wolves say Gomes will join for the start of pre-season.
Their first preparation match ahead of 2024/25 is against West Ham United in July.