Star defender Murillo remains determined to repay the faith Nottingham Forest showed in him by taking a “gamble” to snap him up from Corinthians almost two years ago.
The £11 million the Reds paid to sign the centre-back from the Brazilian outfit in the summer of 2023 has proved to be an outstanding bit of business. Murillo has become a key figure at the City Ground, particularly this season amid a push for the Champions League spots, and his transfer value has shot up considerably.
But when Forest bought him, he had played only a handful of senior games and had no experience of English football. The 22-year-old has more than proved himself since then, and was rewarded with a new Reds deal earlier this year.
“I understood that when I arrived here, when I was signed, people didn't know me very well,” Murillo told the Daily Mail. “And because I had played very little at Corinthians.
“My agent explained to me that my signing was a gamble that Nottingham Forest was taking on me, and that I had to prove to them every day that this gamble would be worth it. And as I started playing and standing out, helping the team and earning my place, I felt that this contract renewal was kind of a recognition for everything that was happening. It’s a gratifying thing for me, as it's a reflection that I'm doing a good job.”
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Murillo is now tied down Trentside until 2029, although that seemingly hasn’t stopped him attracting admiring glances from other clubs. Numerous European heavyweights have had their eye on one of the Reds’ prized assets for some time, but it is Forest who hold all the cards on that front.
There is every chance this will be a special season for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men. They are third in the table ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Manchester City (12.30pm kick-off) and are through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. Murillo, who has been called up to the Brazil squad for this month’s international fixtures, believes the Reds are in a good place and says there is still plenty more to come on an individual level.
“I believe that our results are a reflection of the choices the board made in the past,” he explained. “We have a coach and his technical team who understand each athlete's individual characteristics, and of course, the strength of our fans who are always very present.”
He added: “I think the type of training we have here helps me to improve physically more and more. I try to follow a training routine combined with rest time and a good diet.
“I follow the technical team's programme 100 percent. I train daily to play a good role at my club and I think being called up to Brazil is a consequence of that work. That's why I try to improve and dedicate myself more and more every day.”
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