Trabzonspor take on Fabiano

Tolga replacement
The 27-year-old joins his compatriot, recently recruited goalkeeper Jefferson, at the Turkish runners-up with a Brazilian striker also rumoured to be arriving in due course. Board member Murat Bozoglu said: "We have been tracking Fabiano for nearly six months. Following the departure of Turkish international defender Tolga Seyhan our club were in search of an experienced defender with leadership capabilities. Fabiano is a player who possesses these qualities and I can assure you it was not easy to bring him over here."

Confident words
Fabiano, who began his career at Linhares Sport in 1994/95 and played for CR Vasco da Gama and Al-Wakrah of Qatar before switching to Fluminense in January, made his debut for Brazil in a friendly against Guatemala in April. He said: "I believe we will win every competition we enter this year. I have joined Trabzonspor because I have a dream of playing for a European side and now it has come true."

Duo depart
Meanwhile, Trabzonspor have cancelled the contract of 24-year-old Belgian defender Karel D'Haene while Australian goalkeper Michael Petkovic, 29, has agreed a two-year deal with Superleague newcomers Sivasspor. Second in 2004/05, Trabzonspor will learn tomorrow if they are to meet Anorthosis Famagusta FC or FC Dinamo Minsk in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round.