The 25-year-old Brazilian spent the end of last season with Chievo in Italy where he made four appearances having been part of the Chelsea squad earlier in the campaign and an unused substitute in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg victory over Tottenham.

Piazon joined Chelsea in August 2011 and enjoyed an impressive first season at the club at youth and reserve levels, winning the FA Youth Cup and being named Chelsea’s Young Player of the Year.

In 2012/13, he broke into the senior team and played three times for the Blues in big-scoring wins over Wolves and Manchester United in the League Cup, and Aston Villa in the Premier League when he was denied a first Chelsea goal by a penalty save.

He subsequently embarked on his first loan away from Stamford Bridge, to La Liga club Malaga. He spent campaigns at Vitesse Arnhem in Holland, Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, and then with Reading and Fulham in the Championship, playing a significant role as the Cottagers reached the play-off semi-finals in 2016/17 and then the following year won promotion to the Premier League with victory over Aston Villa at Wembley.

Piazon has also represented Brazil at youth level.

Rio Ave are managed by former Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea boss Carlos Carvalhal. They have enjoyed a good start to the season with two league wins out of three.