Middlesbrough defender Adilson Malanda says he has modelled his game on centre-backs Thiago Silva and Raphael Varane.
The 24-year-old was named player of the match in his long-awaited Boro debut during the 4-0 win over Southampton at the Riverside on Sunday.
Malanda signed from US side Charlotte FC in the summer but was immediately loaned back until the end of the MLS season, though he wasted no time in making a positive impression once he pulled on a Boro shirt.
He made more blocks (10) than any other player on the pitch against the Saints, four of which crucially stopped goalbound shots, most notably from Flynn Downes and Adam Armstrong.