Wien capture Brazilian duo

FK Austria Wien have signalled their championship ambitions by snapping up Brazilian duo Djalminha and Julio César on season-long loan deals.

Shakhtar date
The transfers were completed before the midnight transfer deadline on Saturday and both players are eligible for the Austrian club’s UEFA Cup first-round encounter with FC Shakhtar Donetsk.

Desperate
Djalminha joins from RC Deportivo La Coruña and could sign on a permanent basis if he appears in over 70 per cent of matches this season. The midfield player is desperate for first team action after seeing Spanish international Juan Carlos Valerón edge him out of the Depor side last season, when he started only five league matches.

Controversial
The 31-year-old’s spell in Spain has been marred by controversy, and he caused outrage last May by head-butting coach Javier Irureta during a training ground argument. He later apologised and appeared in several games towards the end of the campaign, but was left out of the Brazil squad for the FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan.

Loan specialist
For Julio César, meanwhile, this is the latest in a series of loan moves. He joins Wien from Real Madrid CF, following temporary spells with SL Benfica, Milan AC and Real Sociedad.

Bundesliga Leaders
Wien are one point ahead of newly promoted SV Pasching at the top of the Austrian Bundesliga after eight games of the new season.