Cléo crosses Belgrade's divide

FK Partizan have made a clutch of signings as they prepare for UEFA Champions League action, with Brazilian forward Cléo joining the club in a shock move from arch-rivals FK Crvena Zvezda.

'The best'
With his side having successfully defended a domestic double last season despite selling midfielder Zoran Tošić to Manchester United FC, Partizan president Dragan Djurić said: "We are the best Serbian club but we have to keep that position; we must work harder." Thus coach Slaviša Jokanović and sporting director Ivan Tomić have been scouring all summer to find new players.

Summer signings
Former Werder Bremen and FC Schalke 04 defender Mladen Krstajić has returned to Partizan after a nine-year absence, while other newcomers include FK Napredak midfielder Branislav Jovanović and FK Teleoptik right-back Siniša Stevanović. However, the most controversial move of all involves Cléo, the first player since Goran Milojević 21 years ago to leave Crvena Zvezda for Partizan.

Best option
Only 12 players in history have left one of the Belgrade giants to join the other, with Partizan pouncing to secure Cléo, who scored eight goals in the league and four more in the cup in his first season in Serbia. The 23-year-old has signed a four-year contract at Partizan and said: "In Brazil this is normal; you choose the option that suits you best, and for me that is Partizan."

Famous rivalry
The atmosphere at Belgrade derbies can be pretty fiery, but Cléo does not anticipate any special treatment when his side face Crvena Zvezda in 2009/10. "I really believe that there won't be any problem," he said. "The Crvena Zvezda fans understand me and I can only make this promise to the Partizan fans: I will give 100 per cent for my new club and put my heart into it."

Rhyl next
Partizan meet Welsh champions Rhyl FC in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round and Cléo is entranced by the chance of playing in Europe's top club competition. "The challenge means so much to me," he said. "Because of the new format, we have a really good chance to reach the highest level. The Champions League is the strongest competition and I want to be part of it.

'Settling in'
"We have kept our best players; midfielder Almami Moreira and my striking colleague Lamine Diarra and with experienced players like Krstajić, captain Nenad Djordjević, Goran Gavrančić and the young ones, we can win a new title," he added. "Me and my family are settling in; we love the food, the people and the lifestyle, and with Partizan I have a chance to realise my footballing dreams."