Ryan Gauld has joined Sporting Lisbon from Dundee United for a fee thought to be in the region of £3 million.

The 18-year-old, dubbed “mini-Messi,” has put pen to paper on a six-year contract with a buy-out fee of €60m (£48m).

The talented youngster had been scouted by a number of English clubs due to his eye-watering performances, which led to him being shortlisted for the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year, but Lisbon have snapped up one of the hottest prospects in Scottish football for a cut-price fee.

United boss Jackie McNamara thinks Gauld has what it takes to be an important player in the national team in the near future.

Speaking in December he said: “He’s going to be a massive star in our national team, there’s no doubt about that.”