| |
On the move Roundup: Argentine Berizzo joins Olympique Marseille
Posted: Wednesday July 21, 1999 04:53 PM
MARSEILLE, France (Reuters) -- Argentine international Eduardo Berizzo completed a 20-million franc (US$3.3 million) transfer from River Plate to Olympique Marseille on Wednesday. "I want to become champion of France and Europe," said the 29-year-old central defender who won three Argentine titles with River Plate. "OM is a great club, and I'm sure I'll have a great season in their jersey." Signed on a three-year contract as replacement for France's World Cup libero Laurent Blanc, Berizzo said he had no qualms about being compared with the former Marseille captain who recently joined Inter Milan. "It's inevitable even if Laurent Blanc is irreplaceable. I must do all I can to give OM my savoir-faire, with my own qualities and without living in another's shadow," Berizzo said. Berizzo, who began his career at Newell's Old Boys and spent two years in Mexico playing for Atlas in the mid-1990s, said he had no fears about adapting to his new club and a new country. "OM are a team that play attacking football, like Argentine football in general. As for the pressure surrounding the club, I know what it's all about because there's the same pressure at River Plate." Marseille coach Rolland Courbis said: "He's a central defender who's good in the air. His experience will steady the team and give it confidence." Chapuisat moves to Grasshoppers from DortmundIn Zurich, veteran striker Stephane Chapuisat returned to Switzerland on Wednesday to join Grasshoppers after eight seasons with Borussia Dortmund. The Swiss international, capped 73 times, provides the scoring threat the club has been lacking since the departure of Kubilay Tuerkyilmaz late last season. One of the most prolific scorers in the Bundesliga, Chapuisat, 30, collected 102 goals in 218 matches helping Borussia Dortmund to two league titles and a European Cup. The fee involved is reported at 1 million Swiss francs (US$647,200). Chapuisat became available after the arrival of Fredi Bobic and Victor Ikpeba in Dortmund left the Swiss fourth choice behind Heiko Herrlich. The move is the first major signing by the financially troubled club since it was bought last month by group of investors. Middlesbrough confirm offer for InceIn Middlesbrough, manager Bryan Robson confirmed on Wednesday he had approached Liverpool to try to sign former England midfielder Paul Ince. "We have made an offer to Liverpool," he told Middlesbrough Clubcall. "Liverpool are talking to Paul Ince, and they are trying to sort an agreement out." Santa Cruz arrives at Bayern MunichIn Germany, Paraguay's teenage striker Roque Santa Cruz arrived at Bayern Munich on Wednesday, announcing he wanted to win the title and the Champions League with the German club. "I'm lucky to be here and I've set high goals for myself," the 17-year-old said after landing in the Bavarian capital. Santa Cruz, who scored three goals for Paraguay at the Copa America tournament, last May signed a five-year contract with the European Cup runners-up for a transfer fee of some 10 million marks (US$5.37 million). The revelation of last April's world youth championships, Santa Cruz, formerly with Asuncion club Olimpia, will train with Bayern for the first time on Saturday. Bayern managing director Uli Hoeness came to the airport to welcome the promising striker, who was described as an "extraordinary talent" by the German champions' coach Ottmar Hitzfeld. Bayern start the defense of their Bundesliga title against Hamburg SV on August 14. Weissenberger joins promoted Arminia BielefeldIn Bonn, Austria striker Markus Weissenberger has agreed to join promoted Arminia Bielefeld from LASK Linz. Weissenberger will sign a three-year contract in a transfer worth under two million marks (US$1.07 million) in the next few days, a Bielefeld spokesman said on Wednesday. Bielefeld has returned to the German first division after one season in the second division. Sergi tells Barcelona he could be movingIn Barcelona, Spanish international fullback Sergi Barjuan on Tuesday warned Barcelona he is still considering offers to move away from the Nou Camp. Sergi, one of the most consistent performers in the Barcelona side over recent seasons, has long been a target of English and Italian clubs, who would have no problem paying his buy-out clause of 3,000 million pesetas (US$18.86 million). And the 27-year-old defender has dropped his strongest hint yet that he could opt for a lucrative move abroad. "I've always said I've had offers to leave Barcelona," Sergi told Barcelona newspaper Sport. "The phone hasn't stopped ringing this summer. "I'm fine here at Barcelona but if I have to leave then I will do. I don't want to say that I'm not happy here, but anyone would listen to the sort of offers I'm getting." Sergi was linked towards the end of last season with a move to join his former teammate Albert Ferrer at Chelsea. Fiorentina, Inter Milan and Roma are also monitoring the player's situation, according to reports. Real Madrid to make Julio Cesar its seventh major signingIn Madrid, Real was due to present young Brazilian defender Julio Cesar as their seventh major offseason signing on Wednesday. The 20-year-old center back, who has been at Valladolid for the last three seasons, has agreed a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He joins Steve McManaman, Elvir Balic, Edwin Congo, Geremi Njitap, Michel Salgado and Ivan Helguera in a revamped Real squad for the new season starting on August 22.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. | |||||||||||||||||||||
Copyright © 1999 CNN/SI. A Time Warner Company. Terms under which this service is provided to you.
| |||||||||||||||||||||
