‘Family is everything to me,’ states Joao Pedro. It’s a response delivered to a question about the importance of those closest to our newest signing. And it quickly becomes clear the influence they have had on him, throughout his life to this pivotal moment - arriving at Chelsea at the age of 23.

‘Before I go onto the grass, I always kiss my tattoos,' he adds. 'I have the names of my mother, Flavia, and my grandmother, Dalva, on my arms. I want to give them the best life possible because of what they did for me.

‘I had them done as soon as I could; it helps me keep them in mind. When I step on the pitch, of course it’s because I love football, but also because I want to remember the people who have had my back. That’s always how I approach it.’

It was in Sao Paulo that the road to Chelsea began for Joao Pedro. It has been one of different challenges, but driven my ambition, hope and the dreams of his mother. 

‘Before football was my dream, it was my mum’s for me,’ he explains. ‘She always put that on my mind – to follow football and dream of playing football one day.

‘In Sao Paulo, I was just a normal kid. I had friends, went to school and was able to live a normal life. After that, football started to become more professional, and we made a decision.’

That decision was to move 270 miles away to Rio de Janeiro to play for Fluminense’s academy.

‘Imagine,’ he says. ‘I was 10 or 11 years old. You’re a kid. You’re young. But then you go away from everything you know and start again from the beginning. It was tough. Only my mum and I moved to Rio. That’s why she’s so important to me.

‘For anyone, it’s difficult when you change city and go away from your friends, family and what you know. This was my first impact. But when I started to play for Fluminense, I saw real football.

‘I saw the academy and how people take football seriously. In the beginning, it was tough. I didn’t know anyone but now, when I have a holiday, I always go to Rio. It’s my city. I went there as a kid; I left a man.’

At Fluminense, the Brazilian received a wide-ranging football education. The focus was on building his understanding of the game and honing his technique. His position was only settled upon later in his development.

‘I played in many different positions when I was in the academy,’ he explains. ‘I played as a number six, number eight, number 10, a winger, and it was only when I went to the Under-17s that I moved to striker. 

‘It’s why sometimes I feel free to come deep and play the ball. I feel like my awareness of the game is so much better because of that time. It helps to facilitate my game now.’

Having found a footing in Rio, another challenge was soon proposed – this time far beyond Brazil’s borders. He didn’t just move cities, but crossed continents, time zones and a language barrier. But it was one Joao Pedro accepted in pursuit of his dream of playing in England.

‘It all happened again when I moved to Watford,’ he recalls. ‘I had to start again. New place, new life. I had just one friend who came with me, alongside my mum and grandmother. 

‘I didn’t speak the language; the weather was different. For the first six months, I couldn’t talk to anyone. The good thing was that I had my family. I would go to training, come back home and was finally able to speak.’

The resilience he developed as a boy in Brazil proved essential as he faced new challenges as a man in Hertfordshire.

‘It was tough, but if you want to succeed in your life, then you will go through difficult moments,’ he says. ‘I went through those moments and now I’m very happy to be here. My time at Watford made me realise that I wanted to be in England. I wanted to continue my career in the Premier League.’

Having had a taste of life in the top flight with Watford, a move to Brighton followed. Thirty goals were struck across two seasons on the south coast. Now he begins a new chapter, with Miami providing the backdrop for his first day as a Chelsea player. 

It is a dream fulfilled for the Brazil international, and an opportunity to play in the Champions League and emulate several of Brazil’s most talented footballers, many of whom have graced Stamford Bridge the Stamford Bridge pitch. 

‘I used to watch David Luiz, Ramires, Willian – I watched Chelsea a lot,’ Joao Pedro smiles. ‘When I was younger, it was a dream to join a big club like them, and now I’m going to get to play for the same team they did. Now I have joined one in Chelsea. 

‘Now that time has arrived. I’m very excited to play for Chelsea, to fight for every title, every tournament and play in the Champions League. Hopefully, we win as many trophies as possible.’

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