Ryan Gauld has sealed his move to Sporting Lisbon.

The 18-year-old signed a six-year contact with a 60m euro (?48m) buyout clause after the 18-times Portuguese champions agreed to pay around ?3m.

"The club have been great through it all. They've not stood in my way, let me speak to them and helped the deal go through," said the forward.

"It's been a wild few days. It was really an option I couldn't turn down."

The Scotland Under-21 international scored eight goals in 38 games last term and was shortlisted for the PFA Scotland young player of the year award.

He joins a squad that will compete in this season's Champions League, and a club famed for bringing through the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Figo.

"I'm not really thinking of that just now," said Gauld. "I'm just looking forward to playing for the club and trying to make a good show of myself.

"I think everyone knows it's a great club. It's a very big club, good at developing younger players. That's obviously played a big part in me signing.

"They've paid a big price but hopefully I can put in good performances for them, establish myself and just do well for them.

"I'm just going to have to get my head down and work as hard as I can. I've got a lot of my game to improve.

EX-TANNADICE kid has ?47m release clause on his head and will rake in more in Portugal than former Sporting stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani did at the same age.