Sevilla sign up Alves
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Article summary
Sevilla FC have exercised their option to buy Brazilian defender Daniel Alves on a permanent basis.
Article body
The promising Brazilian defender Daniel Alves has signed a contract with Sevilla FC until June 2008 after the Spanish club exercised their option to buy the player.
'Magnificent bargain'
Sevilla have opted to invest in Alves and will pay around €850,000 to his former club in Brazil, EC Bahia, a fee chairman José María Del Nido described as "a magnificent bargain". A buy-out fee of €60m has been set for the 20-year-old by Sevilla, whose side also includes 21-year-old Spain striker José Antonio Reyes.
World champion
Alves arrived at Sevilla on loan from Bahia in the summer of 2002 and was handed ten run-outs during his first season. He was a pivotal member of Brazil's FIFA World Youth Championship-winning side in December where he was voted the third best player in the tournament.