On this day (May 5) in 1996, Matheus Pereira was born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. He celebrates his 25th birthday today and could have a bright future after impressing in his debut Premier League season.  

Pereira is a left-footed wide-man who moved from South America to Portugal at the age of 12. He spent time with Trafaria before working his way through Sporting’s youth ranks.

After impressing for the reserves, Pereira eventually got the nod in the first-team at the age of 19. He made a total of 27 appearances for Sporting, scoring six goals with four assists, but he had a season-long loan away from the Portuguese outfit midway through his stint when he was struggling for games.

Pereira made 30 appearances for CD Chaves, scoring eight goals with five assists in 2017/18 before returning to the José Alvalade Stadium. He was sent out to 1.FC Nuremberg for the season, however, and had a hand in five goals from 21 games.

West Brom then offered him an escape route in the summer of 2019 and bagged Pereira on loan for the promotion-winning campaign where he was named Supporters’ Player of the Season.

The uncapped Brazilian turned the move permanent and has so far contributed 15 goals in 31 games. Pereira impressing in the top-flight has led to numerous clubs showing an interest, so his future may be away from the Hawthorns.