The full lowdown on United’s new £19m right-back
IS it Da-lot? Is it Da-low?
Diogo Dalot became United’s first signing of the summer on Tuesday but plenty of supporters remain unsure about how to pronounce his surname.
Thanks to a Portuguese M.E.N. insider (thanks Carlos) and some YouTube videos, the correct pronunciation can be revealed as is ‘Da-low’.
Dalot’s full name is Jose Diogo Dalot Teixeira.
Portuguese names are typically made up of one or two given names – in Dalot’s case these are Jose and Diogo – and a number of family names, the first of which being the mother’s surname and the second being the father’s.
Here is everything else you need to know about the youngster... HOW OLD IS HE? 19 HOW TALL IS HE? 6ft exactly. WHICH IS HIS STRONG FOOT? Right WHAT IS HIS POSITION? Right-back, though he can fill in at left-back as well. BIRTHPLACE? Braga, Portugal WHAT IS HIS PLAYING HISTORY?
Dalot joined Porto’s Academy in 2008 and represented the club at numerous age levels before making his senior debut in a Portuguese Cup game in October 2017.
He went on to make a total of eight appearances for the first team over the course of the season.
Dalot’s only Champions League outing came against Liverpool as he completed 90 minutes of Porto’s 0-0 draw at Anfield in March.
WHAT IS HIS INTERNATIONAL PEDIGREE?
Dalot has plenty of international experience at youth level having played for his country’s U15, U16, U17, U19, U20 and U21 sides.
The youngster played a key role in Portugal’s success at the U17 European Championship in 2016 as he scored in the semi-final and final.
He is yet to receive a call-up to the senior squad.
WHAT’VE THEY SAID ABOUT HIM?
Sergio Conceicao, the Porto manager, after Dalot notched two assists in a 5-1 Liga NOS victory over Portimonense in February: “It’s a kid who has done an exceptional job in team B.
“Dalot has very good behaviour, but it’s just a game.
“Success has nothing to do with one or another good performance, but rather to give continuity and assert himself more at FC Porto. He has the quality to do so. He is a great player.”
Jose Mourinho, the Manchester United manager, after Dalot’s transfer to United was confirmed: “Diogo is an extremely talented young defender with all the qualities to quickly become a great player for this club. He has all the attributes that a full-back needs – physicality, tactical intelligence and technical quality, combined with a Porto Academy mentality which prepares players for the maturity they need at the professional level.
“In his age group, he is the best full-back in Europe and we all believe he has a bright future ahead of him at Manchester United.”