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Joao Mario seals move from Sporting Lisbon to Inter Milan

Sporting's midfielder Joao Mario (L) vies with Arouca's Uruguayan defender Emiliano Albin during the Portuguese Liga football match Sporting SP vs FC Arouc
Image: Joao Mario's transfer equals the record fee that a Portuguese club have received for a player

Joao Mario has completed a €45m (£38.4m) move from Sporting Lisbon to Inter Milan.

The fee for the Portuguese midfielder, who helped his country win the European Championship last month, equals the highest amount received for a player by a Primeira Liga club.

Mario completed a medical on Saturday and joins Brazil striker Gabriel Barbosa, who won the gold medal in the Rio Olympics for Brazil, at the Italian giants.

He joined Sporting at the age of 11 and progressed through the youth academy before making his debut in in 2011.

Mario paid tribute to the club on his Instagram page.

He wrote: "Where to start. A wonderful 14 years that I won't forget, no matter what happens! At this time, only the word 'thanks' comes to mind.

"I thank Sporting for everything they did for me. From my first day, I knew I had made the right choice, and I thank all the people who were part of this story.

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"To all the directors, all the coaches I have had, all the people who worked for years at the academy, I say THANK YOU! You will all be in my heart, like all the sportinguistas."

Inter sacked Roberto Mancini earlier this month and appointed Frank de Boer as their new coach.