Cicinho seals Madrid link
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Article summary
Brazil defender Cicinho has completed his long-expected move to Real Madrid CF on a five-year deal from world champion club São Paulo FC.
Article body
Brazil defender Cicinho has completed his move to Real Madrid CF on a five-year deal.
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Last month the São Paulo FC wing-back revealed that he had signed a contract with Madrid, his move having been delayed as the club already had filled their quota of non-EU nationals. However, Cicinho - who was in the São Paulo side that defeated Liverpool FC to win the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship last week - now has Italian citizenship, courtesy of his great-great-grandfather, and will be eligible to play after the winter break after a switch for a reported €4m.
Arsenal tie
Madrid will have the option of registering Cicinho for the UEFA Champions League, where they meet Arsenal FC over two legs in the first knockout round on 21 Feburary and 8 March. Juan Ramón López Caro was recently confirmed as caretaker coach for the rest of the season and yesterday Benito Floro became sporting director.
