( CNN ) -- Sao Paulo has confirmed it will complete the signing of Brazil playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso from Santos in a deal worth an estimated $ 12 million . The 22-year-old midfielder will put pen to paper on a five-year contract after the two clubs came to an agreement late on Thursday . The Brazil international has made just 26 appearances this year after suffering from knee and muscles problems . He missed seven months of the 2010 season after undergoing surgery on his left knee before returning to form . Alongside Neymar , Ganso helped Santos win the Brazilian Cup in 2010 and the Copa Libertadores in 2011 . Sao Paulo football director Adalberto Baptista told the club website : `` Ganso showed throughout the negotiating a great willingness towards Sao Paulo . `` He gave up big things and was firm in his desire . If it was n't for his desire , we would had given up . '' `` It 's a dream come true , '' Ganso was reported to have said by AP . `` Ever since Sao Paulo showed interest in signing me I wanted to get the deal done . I ca n't wait to get on the field and pay back for all the effort that the club directors put into this . '' Santos has also managed to negotiate a 5 % sell-on fee into the deal after finally relenting in its stance of not selling Ganso to a rival . Several European clubs including Inter Milan , Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur had reportedly shown interest in the player but no bids were received . The player made little secret of his desire to leave the club with fans launching protests after learning of his plans . Santos ' failure to award him the same wage package as Neymar is thought to be the chief reason for Ganso 's decision . The player will now hope to kick-start his career following a number of injury problems and a dip in form which cost him a place in Brazil 's Olympic squad , where he was replaced by Chelsea playmaker Oscar . And with the World Cup arriving in Brazil in 2014 , Ganso will plan to show national coach Mano Menezes he is ready to lead his country 's challenge on home soil . .
Sao Paulo will pay around $ 12 million for Brazil star . Ganso : `` It 's a dream come true '' Midfielder had been linked with Inter Milan . Wants to reclaim his place in national team .