Coventry City announce first summer signing as ‘talented and athletic’ player joins on long-term deal

Coventry City have announced their first official signing of the summer, confirming the club have secured the services of Raphael Borges Rodrigues, who Mark Robins describes as a “talented and athletic” winger.

The 20-year-old joins the Sky Blues from Australian side Macarthur FC for an undisclosed fee, subject to EFL and FA ratification. He has agreed a four-year deal with the Championship club which will officially start next month and run until June 2028.

“We are really pleased to welcome Rapha to the club,” said the City manager. “He is a talented and athletic winger who has just enjoyed an impressive 2023/24 campaign.

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“Rapha has some great attributes and a willingness to work and learn and I’m sure we will enjoy his development during his time with us.”

Born in the Netherlands, Brazilian-Australian Rodrigues represented Australia at youth level, moving there at the age of five.

He began his career at the Melbourne City Academy in 2017. Raphael made his debut for Melbourne City in the Melbourne Derby in June 2021 and went on to be named on the bench for the 2021 A-League Grand Final before scoring his first goal professional in March 2022.

After a total of 17 matches and 2 goals for Melbourne City, he joined fellow A-League side Macarther FC in June 2023, signing a two-year contract. Last season was his most prolific season to date, scoring six goals in 33 appearances for the Sydney side.

A right-footed player, Rodrigues was mostly played on the left, but can also operate on the right. The Sky Blues have already recruited Ephron Mason-Clark for next season, a powerful winger signed from Peterborough United in January who is expected to compete on the left, suggesting Rodrigues could add competition for Tatsuhiro Sakamoto on the right.

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