Struggling Betis sign Oliveira

MADRID: Real Betis secured the deadline day signing of Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira from Real Zaragoza on Saturday, the Primera Liga club said.

Betis paid 8,977,142 euros (US$11.8mil) including commissions for 50% of the player’s rights, the club detailed in a statement on their website (www.realbetisbalompie.es).

They said they had an agreement with Oliverira until 2013. The 28-year-old former Brazilian international was Betis’ top scorer in the 2004-5 season with 22 goals but was sold to AC Milan for 17mil euros in 2006.

After a disappointing spell in Serie A, he returned to Spain in 2007 with Zaragoza. He top-scored for Zaragoza in with 17 goals but could not prevent them being relegated to the Second Division last season.

Betis are struggling in 16th place in the Primera Liga. — Reuters