Shakhtar shell out for Vukic

FC Shakhtar Donetsk have signed Serbia and Montenegro playmaker Zvonimir Vukic from FK Partizan.

Serbo-Montenegrin contingent
Vukic decided to leave Partizan to take up a five-year contract with the Ukrainian side, who are currently second in the Premier League. Vukic, 24, will cost €4.27m and will join compatriots Milan Jovanovic and Nenad Lalatovic at Shakhtar.

European travels
The midfield player started his career with FK Proleter and spent four years there before trying his luck in Spain with Club Atlético de Madrid. However, things did not go to plan and in July 2001 he moved on to Partizan where he was an instant success.

'A fantastic offer'
Partizan director Nenad Bjekovic said: "I ask our supporters to understand this solution. Yes, Vukic is the best player in the country, but they made us a fantastic offer and we couldn't say no."

New midfield player
Shakhtar have also signed FC Metalurh Donetsk and Ukraine midfield player Serhiy Zakarliuka on a four-year contract. "I hope Serhiy will reinforce our side," chairman Rinat Akhmetov said. Meanwhile, Oleh Pestryakov has returned to the club after his loan spell with FC Spartak Moskva.