Dnipro build for title challenge

Having brought Ruslan Rotan back to the club from FC Dynamo Kyiv yesterday, FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk today made Romania forward Ionut Mazilu their fifth signing of the winter break.

Prolific
Mazilu joins from FC Rapid Bucureşti on a four-year contract for a reported fee of €2.5m. "Dnipro really wanted to see me in their side," said the 25-year-old, who has scored twice in ten outings for his country. "I believe this move will help me further my career. I know Dnipro coach Oleh Protasov from his time at [FC] Steaua Bucureşti. He has created a strong team here who are fighting for the title and a place in the UEFA Champions League."

Rotan return
Born in Bucharest, Mazilu joined Rapid in 2006 from FC Sportul Studentesc – where he struck 80 league goals in 181 games – and went on to find the net 18 times in 34 matches. He will be joined at Dnipro by Rotan, the 26-year-old Ukraine midfielder who left for Dynamo Kyiv in 2005 after making more than 100 league appearances for the Dnipropetrovsk club. The Ukrainian Premier League leaders have also signed Rolan Gusev, Osmar Ferreyra and Mario Holek during the break.