Ghanaian youngster Alhassan Wakaso has joined Portuguese top-tier side Rio Ave on a three-year deal, Ghanasoccernet.com can exclusively announce.

The 21-year-old, junior brother of Black Stars winger Mubarak Wakaso passed a medical on Monday and sealed his move from Liga de Honra side Portimonense. Wakaso, a defensive midfielder, becomes the second player to join the Rio first team squad in recent memories after Christian Atsu who played as a loanee last two seasons.

He moved to Portugal from Ghanaian lower-tier side Cheetah FC – the club that sold Liverpool target Christian Atsu to FC Porto.

The Tamale-born, who is cast in the mood of Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, was one of the most impressive players of the Portuguese second-tier league racking 35 appearances and scoring thrice.

Cheetah FC CEO Abdul-Hayye Yartey, who is a senior brother of Ghana winger Ishmael Yartey says Wakaso is one of the great Ghanaian talents coming through.

“He is a great talent. Last season he completed 35 games and was one of the best players of the league and I’m sure he will leave a name at Rio just as Atsu did two seasons ago,” he told Ghanasoccernet.com.

He was linked with a move to Spanish side Osasuna.