Prolific Jonas crosses Atlantic for Valencia
Thursday, January 27, 2011
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Valencia CF have signed striker Jonas from Brazilian side Grêmio Foot-ball Porto Alegrense ahead of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 meeting with FC Schalke 04.
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Valencia CF have signed Brazilian forward Jonas from Grêmio Foot-ball Porto Alegrense for a reported fee of €1.2m.
The 26-year-old has agreed terms on a four-and-a-half-year deal with Unai Emery's side. A product of the Guarani FC youth ranks, Jonas switched to Santos FC before settling at Grêmio in 2007, scoring 40 goals in 74 top-flight appearances.
After his 23 strikes in last season's Brazilian first division made him the league's leading marksman, Jonas said: "I would love one day to have the opportunity to play in the biggest competitions like the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League."
He will have his chance when Valencia host FC Schalke 04 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie on 15 February, with the return encounter in Germany on 9 March.