Alan shows Salzburg's striking intent

FC Salzburg have signed 21-year-old Brazilian forward Alan from Fluminense FC for an undisclosed fee.

Alan, whose full name is Alan Douglas Borges de Carvalho, has joined the Austrian champions on a four-year contract and helps fill the gap left by the departure of Marc Janko to FC Twente. "He is an adaptable attacking player who can perform well in several positions," Salzburg sporting director Dietmar Beiersdorfer said. "This summer we've allowed Marc Janko and Alexander Zickler to leave, while Robin Nelisse is injured so we wanted to be active in the transfer market to bolster the squad."

Alan scored four goals in ten league appearances for Fluminense this season, his third with the Rio de Janeiro club, and becomes the second attacker after Uruguayan Joaquin Boghossian to land at Salzburg this summer. Coach Huub Stevens hopes his newest South American recruit will quickly settle in Europe.

"I assume he is ready for action, but we need to see how long it takes him to adapt to the team," Stevens said. The newcomer added: "The working conditions here are superb. I want to play in the UEFA Champions League with Salzburg. Every Brazilian dreams of playing in the best competitions." Salzburg face Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC in the play-offs with the first leg in Austria on 18 August.