Sporting swoop for Pinilla
Friday, July 23, 2004
Article summary
Sporting Clube de Portugal have made Chilean striker Mauricio Pinilla their second signing of the week.
Article body
Fee of €1m
Sporting have paid €1m for the 20-year-old, who spent the second part of last season on loan at RC Celta de Vigo from AC Chievo Verona. The Lisbon side will own 50 per cent of the player, which is understood to be the half previously belonging to FC Internazionale, the club who brought Pinilla to Italy. Chievo will retain the other half.
Typical No9
Pinilla started his career with CDF Universidad de Chile before joining Inter last summer. He was loaned immediately to Chievo, where he made his Serie A debut last August. A typical No9, he is fast, powerful and strong in the air.
'Great career step'
Looking ahead to the challenge with his new club, Pinilla said: "I am very happy as this is a great step in my career. Sporting are a very strong club, who are always competing for the league title. I hope to achieve plenty of success here and to score many goals."
