Topics: Football, Ronaldinho, Hull City, Burnley
Ronaldinho’s son Joao Mendes is set to sign for another English club upon leaving Burnley, according to reports.
According to Hull Live, Hull City are on course to snap up Mendes, the son of former Barcelona star and 2005 Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldinho, with the youngster set to link up with the Championship club’s academy.
Mendes will reportedly join up with Hull's U21s set up at Bishop Burton College, having spent 12 months at Burnley.
The 20-year-old, who is a left footed winger, started out at Cruzeiro's academy before joining Barcelona's famous La Masia.
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He left Barcelona for Turf Moor last summer, and went on to make five Premier League Cup appearances for the youth team, netting once and registering two assists in that time.
In a recent interview Mendes insisted he was keen to make his own name in the game despite his iconic father.
“I want to be Joao, regardless of anything," he told ESPN Brazil. “I never tried to be my father, I never wanted to be my father. So to get away a bit from where he played [Barca] and what's close, I think it was a good start and a good step for me.
“I think people on the outside want you to be something you're never going to be, whether you like it or not, right? It's good to be here.
“My father was one of the best, if not the best, to ever play the game. So, being his son, being able to talk about him, is a source of pride. I try to do my own thing, I try not to put my father in the middle of things, I try to play my football my way, without pressure.”
In the same interview he added that he was still getting used to the cooler climate in the UK, and was continuing to adapt to life in Burnley.
“It's difficult at first, there's no denying that," he said. "Even more so now in winter and here, as it's in the north, it's a bit worse. If you put on a glove, two socks, we can manage.
“Even though it's a small town, people are very passionate and connected to football. You can see it at matches here, because [the fans] always fill the stadium. I think that's very nice here, the connection they have with the club is very big.”
