Derlei addition to Sporting strike force
Friday, June 22, 2007
Article summary
Sporting Clube de Portugal have signed striker Derlei on loan from FC Dinamo Moskva, meaning the Brazilian will have played for the Liga's three biggest clubs.
Article body
Sporting Clube de Portugal have confirmed they have signed former FC Porto forward Derlei on loan from FC Dinamo Moskva for the coming campaign.
Porto hero
A UEFA Champions League winner with Porto in 2004, the 31-year-old Brazilian has joined Sporting on loan with reports suggesting he will secure a permanent deal once his contract at Dinamo expires in December. Derlei moved to Russia in 2005 but failed to settle, despite scoring 20 goals in 41 games for Dinamo, and he subsequently spent an unsuccessful six months loaned to SL Benfica last season.
'Big three'
Derlei, whose career in Portugal began with UD Leiria in 1999, said: "I am looking forward to playing alongside Liedson in attack. Sporting are a great club and it is an honour for me to have represented the three biggest clubs in Portugal." The green-and-white side of Lisbon have also brought in Russia midfielder Marat Izmailov on loan from FC Lokomotiv Moskva. Sporting will play in the UEFA Champions League after finishing second in the Liga.
