Metalist snap up Argentinian pair

UEFA Europa League contenders FC Metalist Kharkiv have completed the signing of Argentinian duo Sebastián Blanco of CA Lanús and CA Vélez Sársfield striker Jonathan Cristaldo.

Midfielder Blanco, who has been capped twice by Argentina, first broke into the Lanús side in 2006 and made a total of 114 league appearances, scoring 17 goals. "I was very happy with how they welcomed us here," said the 22-year-old, who, like Cristaldo, has signed a five-year deal with the Ukrainian Premier League outfit.

"I have been told that Metalist are a good club and we could see that for ourselves as soon as we arrived. Cristaldo and I are ready to become a part of this club and give our best to justify the trust they have put in us." As for Cristaldo, 21, he made his Vélez Sársfield debut in 2007 and has appeared for Argentina's U-20 team, as well as being an unused substitute when the senior side contested a friendly with Costa Rica last January.

Metalist, who entered Ukraine's winter break in third spot, will host Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League round of 32 tie on 17 February.