Bóvio picked by Panathinaikos

Panathinaikos FC have signed Brazilian midfielder Ricardo Bóvio on a one-year loan from Málaga CF.

European spell
The 24-year-old could earn a permanent switch to the Greek side if all goes well in the 2006/07 campaign. Bóvio began his career with CR Vasco de Gama but moved to European football when he joined FC Chernomorets Novorossiysk for the 2003 Russian season. He played 15 games before going back to his homeland to play for Santos FC. Bóvio returned to Europe in January to sign for Málaga, scoring once in 17 Primera División matches, but could not stop them being relegated. Panathinaikos will enter the UEFA Cup in next month’s first round.