To go from the sweltering hot sands of the Copacabana, to Moscow in the heart of a Russian winter may not seem to be the most attractive move for a footballer, but it is one that is becoming increasingly more common. As of this week, there are currently nineteen Brazilians, as well as six Argentines and one Colombian plying their trade in Russia’s top division. Add to that, a further twenty Brazilians in the Ukrainian first division and there is quite a community growing across the former USSR countries.
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I'm sure many Manchester City fans were asking this question yesterday, as they completed the signing of 26 year old Brazilian midfielder Elano from Shakhtar Donetsk for £8million.
They may be pleased to know that he has already scored a couple of goals on English soil. He scored twice in Brazil's 3-0 friendly victory over Argentina at the Emirates Stadium last September.
Equally as pleasing will be Brazil coach Dunga's comments after that game that Elano is the key player for the way he wishes the national side to play. Although he didn't play every game in the recent Copa America, his performances when he did were adequant, including assisting one of their goals in the final.
He has usually been used on the right of midfield for Brazil, expected to do as much tracking back as he is attacking, whereas for Shakhtar Donetsk he was usually used further up the pitch in a distinct attacking-midfielder role.
He is more typical of a modern Brazilian footballer than the flair merchants from years past, although he does still possess an ability for rasping long range strikes. He is deceptively strong for his size, has a good engine, and the ability to pick a pass with both feet. Because of this, he should have no problens adapting to the English game.
It will be interesting to see how Sven Goran Eriksson intends to use him, because having signed two out and out wingers in Geovanni and Martin Petrov, it is hard to see how an attacking midfielder could also be incorporated into a 4-4-2 formation which has become Eriksson's trademark. It can only be assumed that Eriksson sees him as a standard central midfielder, but time will tell how he is incorporated into the team.
Just to give City fans a little taste of the man in action, here is a brief video of some of his goals for Shakhtar Donetsk.
Considering he is already acclimatised to cold weather (doesn't get much colder than a Ukrainian winter), he should have no problems in England, and looks set to be a big success. In a couple of years time, that £8million might look like very good business.
First off, it seems the Carlos Tevez transfer saga could finally be coming to an end. BBC Sport report that West Ham have agreed a settlement, believed to be £2million, to allow Tevez to join Manchester United. Tevez will return from his holidays this weekend to finalise the move on a two year contract.
Brazilian defender Alex has now received a work permit, allowing him to play in England. BBC Sport reports that the player will now return to England to undergo a medical and agree personal terms with Chelsea.
Manchester City completed the signing of Brazilian international Elano from Shakhtar Donetsk yesterday. BBC Sport report that the midfielder has signed a four year deal with the Premiership club, with the transfer fee thought to be £8million.
Newcastle are close to completing the free transfer signing of Lyon's Brazilian defender Claudio Capaca, according to The Independent.
Earlier this week, Shakhtar Donetsk completed the signings of two Latin Americans. Uefa,com report that Mexican striker Nery Castillo signed for £14million from Olympiakos, with Sao Paulo defender Ilsinho also joining the Ukrainian club for an undisclosed fee.
CA Osasuna have confirmed the loan signing of Arsenal's Carlos Vela for one year. Marca (Spanish link) report that the Mexican forward will be presented to the media on Saturday.
Marca (Spanish link) also report that Real Madrid tried to sign Angel Di Maria from Benfica, hours after he agreed to join the Portugese side. Benfica turned down Real's overtures and have slapped a 30million Euro release clause in the five year contract that the young Argentine has now signed with the club.
The Gazzetta Della Sport (Italian link) reports that Fiorentina are close to agreeing a deal to sign Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta.
Finally, Gazzetta (Italian link) also report that Catania have agreed a fee with Nacional de Montevideo for the signing of Jorge Martinez. The striker is expected in Italy on Monday for a medical and to agree personal terms.
Transfer stories seem to be few and far between, as most European clubs start their build-ups to the new season. Expect there to be another flurry of activity a couple of weeks before the end of August transfer deadline.
In fact, there is only one story today, which comes from The Daily Star, who claim that Manchester City have agreed a £7.4million fee to sign Brazilian midfielder Elano from Shahktar Donetsk.
First off, Manchester City are in talks to sign Brazilian international Elano from Shakhtar Donetsk according to the Mirror. Negotiations are though to be at an advanced stage, with the transfer fee thought to be in the region of £7million.
After the news yesterday that Roque Santa Cruz wanted his future resolved this week, it seems that Blackburn are heading the queue for his signature. The Daily Mirror reports that Blackburn are to pay £4.5million for the striker and have asked him to fly to England for talks, in an attempt to complete the deal before the weekend.
Uruguay international keeper Fabio Carini is set to sign for Real Murcia. Sky Sports report that he will sign a four year deal at the newly promoted Primera Liga side and is expected to be unveiled to the media later today.
Finally, the transfers of Carlos Tevez and Gabriel Heinze still continue to drag on, details reported by BBC Sport.
To go from the sweltering hot sands of the Copacabana, to Moscow in the heart of a Russian winter may not seem to be the most attractive move for a footballer, but it is one that is becoming increasingly more common. As of this week, there are currently nineteen Brazilians, as well as six Argentines and one Colombian plying their trade in Russia’s top division. Add to that, a further twenty Brazilians in the Ukrainian first division and there is quite a community growing across the former USSR countries.
