Ronaldinho completes $30 million transfer to AC Milan
July 16, 2008
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Barca confirm 51-million-dollar Ronaldinho offer from City
July 15, 2008
BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) - Barcelona has received a 32-million-euro (51-million-dollar) offer for two-time world player of the year Ronaldinho from English Premiership side Manchester City, the Spanish club’s president Joan Laporta said on Monday.
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Brazil´s Geovanni signs for Hull
July 7, 2008
LONDON (AFP) - Brazil international Geovanni has joined newly-promoted Hull City, the English Premier League side announced Saturday.
The 28-year-old midfielder has signed a two-year contract with the Tigers after being released on a free transfer by Premier League rivals Manchester City at the end of last season.
Geovanni cost Barcelona 11 million pounds (22 million dollars) in 2001 but failed to become a regular with the Spanish side. He then went on loan to Benfica before returning to Brazil.
He joined City on a free transfer from Cruzeiro last year but failed to earn a regular spot at Eastlands.
But Hull, preparing for their first season in English football’s top flight, believe Geovanni is the man for them.
"He’s got a very good track record so I think he’ll be an excellent signing for us," assistant manager Brian Horton told BBC Radio Humberside.
"We’ve heard a lot about him and spoken to quite a few people, but we saw him ourselves so we know the player."
Geovanni’s arrival follows the permanent signing of striker Craig Fagan, who rejoined the Tigers on loan last season, from Derby County earlier in the week.
Hull were the last of the promoted teams to secured their Premier League place after beating Bristol City 1-0 in May’s play-off final at Wembley.
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Jo joins Manchester City for record fee
July 3, 2008
MANCHESTER (AFP) - Brazilian striker Jo joined Manchester City from CSKA Moscow on Wednesday for what the English Premier League side said was a "club record" undisclosed fee.
The 21-year-old forward, capped once by Brazil, signed a four-year contract and in the process became Mark Hughes’s first major signing at Eastlands since he replaced Sven-Goran Eriksson as City manager.
Jo, full name Joao Alves de Assis Silva, is a left-footed forward who joined several fellow Brazilians at CSKA in 2006 when he moved from Corinthians.
It had been reported that City expected to pay around 19 million pounds (38 million dollars) for the striker, who scored 44 goals in 77 matches for the Russian club.
"I decided to come to Manchester City because it is one of the clubs who showed more interest in me, although I had other offers as well," Jo said at a press conference announcing his signing.
"After I spoke to the manager (Hughes) I was very pleased.
"I was told Manchester City is a club going forward at the moment. We can go places, that is our objective. We thought about it and I decided to come to Manchester City for that reason."
Jo added Valencia were City’s main rivals for his signature. "The club who showed interest officially was Valencia," he said. "I know from the press there were other clubs who showed interest."
Hughes added: "He’s a big talent and a young man with a big future.
"A lot has been said about him and there was a big expectation on him coming out of Brazil. So with the success he’s had I think it’s a real coup that we’ve been able to bring him to the club.
"He’s a big guy, in stature and in ability, so I think everybody will enjoy watching him play."
During his time with CSKA, Jo won the Russian league and cup double in 2006 and also made numerous Champions League appearances for the Moscow club.
He may not be the only Brazilian joining City, with Hughes confirming the side were in the hunt for Barcelona’s Ronaldinho.
The striker has been told he can leave the Nou Camp, with City, Chelsea and Italy’s AC Milan all suggested as potential destinations for Ronaldinho.
"Basically that’s a process that is ongoing," Hughes said. "I don’t think the process has slowed or accelerated."
Hughes added: "He’s a huge world star and these things, if they are going to happen, are likely to take a bit of time.
"In the discussions he’s had with the club I think he’s been very positive about the idea of coming to the club."
Last season City finished ninth in the Premier League but that wasn’t enough to prevent club chairman Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai premier, getting rid of ex-England manager Eriksson after what was widely agreed to have been a successful first year in charge at Eastlands for the Swedish boss.
Eriksson, now in charge of the Mexico national side, was replaced by former Wales and Blackburn Rovers manager Hughes last month.
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Sun Jihai signs for Blades
July 3, 2008
The 30-year-old defender will arrive at Bramall Lane on a free transfer on a two-year deal after reaching the end of his contract with City, for whom he played for six seasons.
United also announced that manager Kevin Blackwell had signed another defender in Greg Halford, on a season-long loan from Premier League Sunderland.
The Blades were relegated from the Premier League two seasons ago and last term finished three points off the play-off places in the second-tier Championship.
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