Sanjose, July 15:

Costa Rican teenager Manfred Ugalde has joined City Football Group (CFG), the holding company that also owns Manchester City, his club Deportivo Saprissa said on Tuesday.

The 18-year-old forward will initially play for Lommel SK, the Belgium club acquired by CFG in May, according to a Deportivo Saprissa statement.

“This is a great step for our institution. The fact that the City Football Group has signed a player from Deportivo Saprissa fills us with pride and satisfaction. We wish Manfred the greatest success,” Deportivo Saprissa sports manager Victor Cordero said.

The San Jose-based club did not provide further details of the transfer.

Ugalde scored 13 goals in 38 league appearances for Deportivo Saprissa following his first-team debut for the club at the age of 16.

In February, he earned his first senior national cap by coming on as a substitute in Costa Rica’s 1-0 defeat to the United States.(Xinhua) –