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Real Madrid unveil new signing Cicinho
Real Madrid's latest signing was unveiled by the struggling Spanish giants at the Bernabeu Stadium on Thursday.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: February 25, 2007 09:53 AM IST
Read Time:2 min
Madrid:
Real Madrid secured first option on Brazilian defender Cicinho in August for a fee of $7 million. He will join fellow-Brazilians Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Julio Baptista and Robinho in Madrid's star-studded, but currently troubled, squad. The 25-year-old will wear the the number 11 shirt, which was once worn by Paco Gento, who made over 700 appearances for Real Madrid in the 1950s and 60s, winning a record six European Cups. "Yes I like the number eleven. I had to chose between three numbers and I chose the number eleven because a very famous Real Madrid player played with this number," said Cicinho, Real Madrid defender. Cicinho, an attacking right back, has won the Confederations Cup with Brazil and the Sao Paolo league, the Copa Libertadores and Club World cups with Sao Paolo. His principal objective at Madrid is to keep on winning titles. But first, he faces strong competition to get into Real's starting line-up. Spanish internationals Michel Salgado and Sergio Ramos and Uruguay's Carlos Diogo are all currently competing for a place on the right-hand side of the back four. "The information I received in Brazil was that Real Madrid are the best. I'm very happy to be in this club. It (Real Madrid) is the one of the best clubs in the world," said Cicinho. Cicinho was in the Sao Paulo team that beat Liverpool 1-0 to win FIFA's Club World Championship in Japan earlier this month. But now he joins a club in some disarray. Real were jeered off the pitch after a 2-1 home defeat by Racing Santander last week. The loss - their fourth at home this season - left them fifth in the Primera Liga, 11 points behind leaders Barcelona. Earlier in the month, Brazilian coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo was sacked than a year after taking over and Arrigo Sacchi quit as director of football, although the latter has now been replaced by Benito Floro. However, there is something for Cicinho to look forward to. Real have reached the last 16 of the Champions League where they will face Arsenal and their new Brazilian recruit will be hoping to be involved in some part, if not all, of the two-legged tie. (AP)Topics mentioned in this article
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