Transfer saga is finally over as Boro sign Alves
View PDF | Print View
by: Guest
Total views: 170
Word Count: 1123
IT might have been one of the most tortuous transfer deals in their history, but Middlesbrough were celebrating last night after finally completing the club-record 12.7m capture of Brazil international Afonso Alves.
A statement released on Heerenveen's official website at 11pm last night confirmed that Alves had signed a four-and-a-half year deal at the Riverside less than two hours before the transfer window swung shut.
The statement read: "Afonso Alves has left Heerenveen for the United Kingdom. Middlesbrough have agreed terms concerning the passage of Afonso Alves to the club currently 13th in the English Premiership. Alves signed a contract for 4.5 years at Middlesbrough."
Confirmation of Alves' arrival follows a day of intensive negotiations in Middlesbrough, Heerenveen and London.
The striker, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Wednesday, was in Holland last night tying up his personal arrangements.
He will fly into Teesside early this morning, though, and is expected to train with his new Middlesbrough team-mates for the first time.
Boro resisted late attempts from both Roma and Manchester City to scupper the deal, and are expected to formally unveil Alves in a press conference this afternoon.
The South American's arrival at Rockliffe Park will complete a whirlwind 24 hours that began with Heerenveen and Middlesbrough officials finally agreeing a fee of 17m Euros ( 12.7m) yesterday morning.
With a major hurdle having been overcome, Boro boss Gareth Southgate and chief executive Keith Lamb travelled to London yesterday afternoon to attend a work permit appeal hearing.
Having failed to appear in 75 per cent of Brazil's matches over the last two seasons, Alves' initial application was automatically rejected earlier this week.
But with Boro officials citing his scoring record of 49 goals in 49 Heerenveen matches last season as evidence of his footballing ability, the Home Office awarded Alves a permit at around 3.45pm yesterday afternoon.
That was still not the end of things, however, as Atletico Mineiro and Valeriodoce, Alves' first two clubs in Brazil, were due a 'solidarity payment' as a result of his departure from Holland.
Neither Boro nor Heerenveen were willing to make the payment - effectively a sell-on fee that would typically be around five per cent of the sum Heerneveen were due to receive - but after a final round of frantic discussions yesterday evening, a compromise was finally struck.
It is understood that both Boro and Heerenveen have contributed to the solidarity payment in order to guarantee completion of the deal.
Sources in Holland claim Alves is relieved to have finally secured a move to the Premier League, and the striker's unwavering desire to join Middlesbrough was a major factor in Heerenveen's willingness to sanction his departure despite a complex legal dispute that also involved fellow Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar.
The Brazilian is hoping to feature in Sunday's Tyne-Tees derby, but his participation will hinge on the rapid processing of his international clearance forms.
With Tuncay Sanli nursing a hamstring injury he sustained in Tuesday night's 1-0 win over Wigan, and Jeremie Aliadiere struggling with a groin strain, Boro are struggling for attacking options as they prepare to travel to St James' Park.
But despite a lack of alternatives, the Teessiders pulled out of a proposed loan move for Inter Milan youngster Goran Slavkovski.
Slavkovski, who instead joined Boro's FA Cup fifth-round opponents, Sheffield United, until the end of the season, impressed in a brief trial at Rockliffe Park last week.
Boro had inquired about the possibility of a season-long loan deal for the 18-year-old Swede and Inter Milan were ready to agree to their request, but the Teessiders withdrew their proposal yesterday morning.
They also rebuffed inquiries from both Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon and Brazilian outfit Gremio regarding midfielder Fabio Rochemback.
Both clubs were ready to make an offer for the South American, but with Rochemback having made 22 senior appearances for the Teessiders this season, their interest was deemed irrelevant.
Ben Hutchinson completed his move to Celtic, however, signing a three-year deal at Parkhead.
Andrew Taylor and Josh Walker have both signed contract extensions at the Riverside.
Taylor, who is still at least a month away from full fitness as he continues to recover from a foot operation, has signed a one-year extension that will keep him with the Teessiders until 2011. The England Under-21 international has become a first-team regular since breaking into the senior squad at the start of last season, and is regarded as one of the most promising young fullbacks in the country.
Walker, who has joined Aberdeen on loan until the end of the season, has signed a 12- month extension that commits him to the Riverside until June 2009.
* David Wheater, Adam Johnson and Lee Cattermole have been named in the England Under-21 squad for next Tuesday's European Championships qualifier with the Republic of Ireland.
* Middlesbrough have announced ticket details for their FA Cup fifth-round tie at Sheffield United on Sunday, February 17 (ko 2pm).
Tickets go on sale to all seasonticket holders at 9.30am on Monday, February 4, priced 12 for adults - a 3 discount on normal prices - 10 for over-60s and students and 5 for under-16s.
Season-ticket holders have until February 9 to claim discounted tickets as, from Monday, February 11, all adult tickets will be priced 15 and will be available on general sale.
2:01am Friday 1st February 2008 Print
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
The newly opened 24-hour fitness club membership management software through Ruideer RDMB, comprehensive management of rich type of fitness cards, membership information and consumer information. RDMB powerful DIY-card function in the management of health club regard to cope with a variety of cards, the Member management, fitness club management easier.
At present, Kunming, the largest fitness club I love sports, romantic industrial use with 24 hours RDMB again proved RDMB management in the health club unshakeable lead.
About 24-hour fitness club
24-Hour Fitness club located in Kunming city centre, and elegant environment, dynamic colors, human services, selected Philip Andean California and the United States of professional equipment. Have top-notch equipment and aerobics coach, professional physical testing, tailored to your personal training programme.
Related: Transfer saga is finally over as Boro sign Alves
Additional information:
From www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk:
Find all 24 Hour Fitness jobs. 24 hour fitness job search made simple at SimplyHired, the largest search.
Alex Hilgenberg, a fitness enthusiast and certified personal trainer, will soon be offering the opportunity for Fernley residents to access.
24 Hour Fitness Information and Location Guide Concise and useful 24 Hour Fitness information. Read evaluations and reviews. Detailed articles.
Simply use your Visa card at 24 Hour Fitness, enter the coupon code and enjoy exceptional savings and special.
We invite you to join our family and experience the benefits of belonging to a 24 hour fitness facility with a relaxed.
A 24 hour fitness facility that includes personal training and tanning. Madison.
Providing you with the latest news, shopping hours, store details, specials and services, so that your shopping experience is truely.
Quick walkthrough of our 24 hour fitness center. See how we have arranged the fitness equipment and view the floor plan layout of our 24 hour fitness.
Rating:
Not yet rated
Comments
No comments posted.
Add Comment
You do not have permission to comment. If you
log in, you may be able to comment.
