Savinho Joins Tottenham Hotspur From Manchester City and Reverts to Savio
According to reports from August 2026, forward Savio Moreira de Oliveira has officially left Manchester City to sign with Tottenham Hotspur, where he is dropping his former nickname to compete under his birth name, Savio. The 22-year-old attacker arrives in London on a permanent transfer carrying squad number 17, ending a two-year stint at the Etihad Stadium.
How the Clubs Marked the Transfer Differently
When the deal went through, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur used distinct names to announce the player. City issued a farewell statement saying, “Semoga sukses, Savinho,” while Spurs welcomed him with the greeting, “Selamat datang di Tottenham, Savio.” Throughout his time at Atlético Mineiro, PSV Eindhoven, and Girona, the forward used his given name before shifting to the diminutive version after receiving his first Brazil national team call-up in March 2024. He kept the name Savinho for his move to City in July 2024 for luck, but has now reverted to Savio upon moving to north London.
Manchester City Record and Move to North London
During his two seasons under contract with Manchester City, Savio made 84 total appearances, scoring seven goals and providing 16 assists while collecting three team trophies. However, he struggled to secure a regular starting spot and did not win a Premier League or Champions League title during that span. Tottenham had tracked the player since the previous year before finally closing the deal.
https://x.com/ManCity/status/2092177563367932254
Pro tip: When tracking player transfers across European leagues, note that squad registration names often change based on marketing preferences or international team call-ups, as demonstrated by the transition between Savinho and Savio.
Player and Manager Reactions to the Transfer
Reflecting on the protracted negotiations, Savio expressed relief about the final agreement. “Butuh waktu cukup lama, namun saya sangat senang bisa berada di sini. Ini adalah kesempatan luar biasa di klub yang hebat, bersama salah satu manajer terbaik di dunia,” ujar Savio, as reported by source material. He also highlighted his talks with head coach Roberto De Zerbi as a decisive factor in his choice. “Begitu berbicara dengan pelatih kepala (Roberto De Zerbi), saya tahu saya harus bergabung. Dia bilang ingin membantu saya mencapai level tertinggi, dan saya yakin kami bisa mewujudkannya bersama-sama sebagai sebuah tim,” tegasnya.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savio’s full name?
His full legal name is Savio Moreira de Oliveira.
https://x.com/SpursOfficial/status/2092175727810551906
What squad number will he wear at Tottenham Hotspur?
He will wear the number 17 shirt.
Which manager convinced him to sign with Spurs?
Head coach Roberto De Zerbi played a primary role in persuading him to join the club.
How many appearances did he make for Manchester City?
He made 84 appearances across all competitions during his two seasons with City.
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