Schürrer sure of Real move

Real Sociedad have finally announced the signing of Gabriel Schürrer from UD Las Palmas.

Delayed signing
The central defender should have joined the Basque club yesterday, and Real had even gone as far as announcing his official presentation on their website, before problems about ending his contract with Las Palmas caused the deal to be temporarily delayed and forced Real to retract their statement.

One-year deal
The Argentinian has now signed a one-year deal which can be extended by a year at the end of the season with a further option at the end of the 2003/04 season. Schürrer, who will be 31 this month, has been granted a free transfer in return for cancelling part of Las Palmas's debts to him.

Five seasons in Spain
Schurrer has spent the last five seasons in Spain, spending two seasons at both Racing Santander and RC Deportivo La Coruña prior to his move last summer to Las Palmas.

'Needs in that position'
"He is a player who plays in an area of the pitch that we think needs to be improved when you look at what we have got at the moment," said the San Sebastián club's vice-president, Xavier Bengoetxea. "We think Schürrer's abilities can cover the needs we have in that position."

Weakened defence
He has been brought in to help to shore up Real's leaky defence, which has been further weakened since the end of last season by the retirement of Loren and the sale of Luiz Alberto to Brazilian side Grêmio Football Porto Alegrense.