AEK seal Blanco deal

AEK Athens FC have signed Argentinian striker Ismael Blanco from CA Colón de Santa Fe.

'Important step'
The 24-year-old Blanco has spent large periods of his career at Colón on loan at other sides in South America including a two-year stint at Olimpo de Bahía Blanca from 2005, where he scored 33 times in 62 league games in his homeland. After agreeing a four-year deal at AEK, he said: "I am very glad that the negotiations are finally over and everything went well. This is a very important step for me, because AEK open the door for me to experience European football. I will do my best for the people of AEK who have bestowed their faith in me. I promise the fans that I will do my best to make them happy." AEK go to Sevilla FC in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie on Wednesday.