Zago opts for Besiktas

New Besiktas JK coach Mircea Lucescu has continued to strengthen with the purchase of Brazilian defender Zago from AS Roma.

Two-year deal
The 33-year-old Zago has signed a two-year contract with the Istanbul side after spending five seasons in the Italian capital. Capped 36 times by his country, scoring three goals, Zago began his career with São Paulo Futebol Clube in 1990 and had spells with a number of other clubs, including SC Corinthians Paulista and Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol, prior to his move to Serie A. Zago said of his experience in Rome: "The city and the team will always remain in my heart. I have won a Scudetto and I spent five wonderful years there."

Final cut
Despite playing regularly, and well, for Fabio Capello's Roma side, Zago was dropped from the national team after a series of indifferent displays in the South American qualifying campaign and ultimately missed out on selection for Luiz Felipe Scolari's 23-man FIFA World Cup squad. Zago joins fellow new recruit Sergen Yalçin at the Inönü stadium, with Lucescu, who replaced Christophe Daum as coach earlier this month, promising more signings.