Tottenham Hotspur have completed the permanent signing of Brazilian winger Savio Moreira de Oliveira from Manchester City. The 22-year-old, who will now be known as Savio at Spurs, was officially presented to supporters on Tuesday as the club's seventh major signing.
Spurs currently sit 18th in the Premier League with zero points from their opening match, having suffered a 3-0 defeat that leaves them three points behind early leaders Brighton.
Savio Moreira de Oliveira's name change stems from his international career with Brazil. The player explained that during his first national team call-up, officials placed 'Savinho' on his shirt. This nickname stuck during his subsequent club career at Manchester City, where he requested it be used on his kit. "(My name change) is because in the national team, (during) the first call-up they put Savinho on the shirt," Savio told reporters.
At his previous loan clubs PSV and Girona, he was known as Savio despite some local recognition of his nickname. "People in Girona knew me more as Savinho; it was just written Savio on the shirt, you know?" he said. "So I told (City) to put Savinho on the shirt, and I hope it brings me luck too, this name Savinho." At Tottenham Hotspur, he returns to using Savio, the name on his birth certificate from São Mateus in Espírito Santo, Brazil.
The winger joins Tottenham after two seasons with Manchester City, where he made 84 appearances and scored 7 goals. Finding consistent minutes under manager Pep Guardiola proved difficult, leading to loan spells at PSV and Girona before this permanent move. At Spurs, he will wear the number 17 shirt, departing from the number 28 he wore at City.
His arrival adds depth to a Tottenham attack that has yet to score this Premier League season, with the team conceding three goals in their solitary match. Savio could make his competitive debut in the Carabao Cup 2026-27 match against Charlton Athletic. Manager Roberto De Zerbi will be looking to integrate him quickly as Spurs seek their first points of the campaign.
Tottenham's early season form shows room for improvement, sitting near the bottom of the standings with a negative three goal difference. Savio's signing represents an attempt to bolster attacking options ahead of key fixtures. The Brazilian becomes the seventh significant addition to De Zerbi's squad this transfer window.
His versatility on the wing could provide the creative spark Tottenham need after their opening match defeat. The club's recruitment team identified him as a player who could develop further with regular first-team football, something that proved elusive at the Etihad Stadium.
Immediate focus turns to the Newcastle United match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Savio could feature if registered in time. The Magpies currently occupy 11th position, presenting a challenging but winnable home fixture for Spurs. Beyond that, the Carabao Cup offers an early opportunity for the Brazilian to make his mark in English football with his new club.
Tottenham will hope Savio's arrival helps address their early-season scoring difficulties. His experience in the Premier League and European competitions should aid his adaptation. The coming weeks will reveal how De Zerbi plans to use his new attacking weapon as Spurs attempt to climb from their current 18th-place position.
