EXCLUSIVE: Coventry City agree deal to sign highly rated 20-yr-old Brazilian-Australian winger, official announcement expected soon

The future starts here for A-League prodigy Raphael Borges Rodriguez, who has clinched a multi-year deal with FA Cup semi-finalists Coventry City.

The 20-year-old winger will leave for the UK imminently after Macarthur FC agreed an undisclosed fee with the Championship club, who only lost to Manchester United on penalties after overturning a three goal deficit in a gripping Wembley tie which underlined the progress they’ve made under coach Mark Robbins.

The Sky Blues, who ultimately finished ninth, were in the Championship playoff race until the final weeks of the season, and will be looking to push on in 2024-2025, with Rodriguez viewed by Robins as capable of thriving in English football’s second tier.

The Brazilian-Australian – son of former Adelaide United striker Cristiano dos Santos Rodriguez – is coming off 33 appearances in all competitions for the Bulls, netting six times with two assists.

His development went into overdrive under Mile Sterjovski’s mentorship at Macarthur after first emerging at A-League rivals Melbourne City.

He was being courted by several others clubs in England and Scotland before opting to head to the Midlands. Rodriguez’s agent, former Melbourne Victory star import Fahid Ben Khalfallah, would neither confirm or deny Rodriguez’s Coventry connection when contacted by FTBL.

However, an official announcement on the deal is expected to be made in the coming days with the deal said to be done already.