The forward joined from Watford over the previous summer transfer window and became an instant hit.
Pedro managed to score 20 goals, including six in the Europa League in the club’s first ever campaign in that competition.
“Joao Pedro is a South American player but with a very different pathway to coming here (compared to our other South American players)," Weir told club media.
"He was in the country by the time he was 18 and playing for Watford.
“Joao is now a homegrown player for us by the nature of that pathway. He played in England, he’s played in the Premier League and now played for Brazil – plus he’s been successful in Europe. There’s a multitude of different facets to make it to this point and him being a great signing for us.
“He’s been able to adapt quickly and he’s hit the ground running although he’s still had a small period of adaptation. He’s also had a couple of small injuries that will have affected him a little bit. He’s our club record signing but he’s a very different signing to some of the others and in a category that is very much relatable to the other guys as well.
“He helps those guys to integrate because he’s used to being in England, he understands the complexities of coming from South America and some of the challenges that they face. These are things that can become very important for us.”