Official: Inter announce Luis Henrique signing from Marseille | OneFootball

Inter have officially announced the signing of Brazilian winger Luis Henrique on a permanent transfer from Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille.

The Brazilian becomes the second Nerazzurri signing of the summer, following the arrival of Tomas Sucic from Dinamo Zagreb earlier in the week.

Reports suggest that Inter have paid a fee of €23m plus up to €2m in bonuses and add-ons to secure a deal with Marseille for the 23-year-old.

The former Botafogo wideman will join up with the Nerazzurri squad in time for the start of the FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off on June 14, with Inter’s first game of the tournament falling against Monterrey on June 18 (BST, June 17 local time).

Luis Henrique is a versatile wide player, who is able to cover in a number of roles on the right flank, and on the left, either as a winger or at wing-back.

Official: Inter confirm Luis Henrique signing

Inter confirmed the player’s arrival with a long statement on the club website, which read: “João Pessoa is a city in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. Founded in 1585, on the day of celebrations of a peace treaty between the Portuguese and the indigenous people, the city lies on the Punta di Seixas, the easternmost point of all of South America, on the Atlantic Ocean.

“It’s a place of union and harmony between people and cultures, that unites America to Europe, thus a city that leans toward the Old Continent. It was here that Luis Henrique Tomaz de Lima wasborn on 14 December 2001.

“A history of antique connections that reflect onto the Brazilian’s career. Like every child born in this part of the World, his dream was to play football: he got scouted by Botafogo and his life changed forever, moving to Rio de Janeiro. He made his debut on 4 December 2019 for Brasileirão, playing 33 minutes in a game against Atlético Mineiro.

“Even at a very young age he got interest from Europe: after just 21 appearances and two goals with Fogão, a powerful wind took him all the way to Marseille in June 2020, where he had a new adventure at only 18 years old. It was a journey full of difficult obstacles for a young Brazilian from João Pessoa, far from home and his loved ones.

“With Marseille, Luis Henrique played 49 matches and scored one goal (in the Coupe de France against Cannet Rocheville) across two seasons, during which he also made his Champions League debut in 2020.

VILLARREAL, SPAIN – MARCH 14: Luis Henrique of Marseille battles for possession with Daniel Parejo of Villarreal CF during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between Villarreal CF and Olympique Marseille at Estadio de la Ceramica on March 14, 2024 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

“However, Luis was beginning to have this new feeling at Marseille: he once again felt the wind change, caught in the vibrations and tremor of the Vélodrome every time home idol Dimitri Payet touched the ball.

“Luis Henrique will remember this feeling and he will take it with him even during a new adventure: the Brazilian went back home in search of better luck and more play time. The winger returned to Botafogo in July 2022, in Rio de Janeiro, and his career changed.

PORTO ALEGRE, BRAZIL – DECEMBER 6: Luis Henrique of Botafogo looks at the ball during the match between Internacional and Botafogo as part of Brasileirao 2023 at Beira-Rio Stadium on December 6, 2023 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. (Photo by Pedro H. Tesch/Getty Images)

“Between the Brazilian league, the Campeonato Carioca, the Brazilian Cup and the Sudamericana Cup, he played 69 games and scored two goals: it was then enough, as a strong breeze started blowing, pushing him back to Marseille.

“He went back to Olympique at the end of 2023, but he had to wait another year before getting back on the pitch. In the second half of 2023/24 he made 24 appearances and scored his first Ligue 1 goals against Clermont. However, Luis then managed to perform well in the Europa League, and Marseille made it all the way to the semi-final, but they were then knocked out by Atalanta who went on to win the whole tournament.

“The 2024/25 season was the one of real revenge: finally Luis felt for himself that buzz that Marseille fans had kept for Payet during his first French adventure. The Brazilian became a regular starter in Roberto De Zerbi’s side, and his manager became almost like a second father for him. The Brazilian played 35 matches, scored nine goals and provided ten assists between the league and the Coupe de France.

“Marseille came second in Ligue 1, getting back in the Champions League after a positive and exemplary season from the Brazilian winger: “I didn’t want to leave without showing who I really am”: it was mission complete for Luis, who had grown so much technically and mentally, also comforted by the birth of his two children, as he said in the past.

“He was one of the fastest players in Ligue 1, with his maximum sprint speed recorded at 36.98 Km/h last season. He is a technical and pacey winger, a skilled dribbler, able to take up a few positions, more attacking or with defensive work, both on the left or the right. The strong wind on his back then blew him to Milan, where he became the 36th Brazilian in Inter’s history. It is a new adventure for Luis Henrique, a journey in which he will be moving at maximum speed.”