Tonel takes up Dinamo challenge

Portuguese international defender Tonel has joined NK Dinamo Zagreb from fellow UEFA Europa League contenders Sporting Clube de Portugal.

Twice-capped by his country, the 30-year-old moves to the Croatian capital on undisclosed terms after scoring 11 goals in 117 Portuguese Liga outings for Sporting over the last five years. "I'm very happy to be here," he told Dinamo's website. "My first impressions have been excellent. This is an ambitious club and I know [coach Vahid] Halilhodžić, who is a big name in football."

Unused in Europe by Sporting this term, Tonel will be eligible to feature in the UEFA Europa League for his new employers, who have been drawn in Group C alongside Villarreal CF, Club Brugge KV and PAOK FC.