A Big Billabong Welcome
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After a big rookie season, the young Brazilian earns a sticker from one of surfing's biggest sponsors.

Italo Ferreira, the high-flying rookie who turned heads during the 2015 season, has earned a spot on the Billabong team roster.

Upon his arrival on surfing's elite Championship Tour (CT) last year, Ferreira wasted no time making a name for himself. The 21-year-old from Baía Formosa, Brazil, finished in the Quarterfinals or better in five of 11 events last season, landing him in the Top 10 in year-end rankings. He'll receive the Rookie of the Year title at the WSL Awards in March.

Italo Ferreira Instagram Check out Ferreira's new sticker. (Instagram: ItaloFerriera) - WSL

"Italo has quickly established himself as a force on the World Tour," Billabong's Global Team Manager Chris Heffner said in the company's official statement. "To watch him go from a rookie to Top 10 in his first year on tour was incredible, and we believe he has just scratched the surface. We couldn't be more happy to have him flying the flag for Billabong as he continues his ascent in the world of surfing."

Head-Turner
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It's performances like this that have earned the rookie respect from fans, fellow pros, and now brands.

Ferreira joins fellow CT surfers Joel Parkinson, Taj Burrow, Jack Freestone and Ryan Callinan, big wave chargers Greg Long and Shane Dorian, to name just a few.

"I'm feeling very happy to be joining the team for Billabong, which for me always is the top surf brand and has the best surf teams and products in the world," Ferreira said. "It'll be nice to live and learn from everyone on the team and brand."

Watch Ferreira soar when the 2016 CT season kicks off March 10 on Australia's Gold Coast.

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