Géder to join forces with Spartak

FC Spartak Moskva have signed Brazilian defender Antônio Géder from FC Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast as they prepare for the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Upward momentum
The 28-year-old centre-half will change sides after the two Moscow clubs agreed a deal today. The Recreio-born player spent five seasons with CR Vasco da Gama before joining Saturn at the start of the 2003 Russian campaign. He established himself as one of the Premier-Liga's best centre-backs, with many urging the Football Union of Russia to classify Géder as a Russian citizen in order to get him into the national team. Geder was captain at Saturn, for whom he scored three goals in 85 appearances.