Madrid move for Brazilian Marcelo

Fluminense FC left-back Marcelo will become Real Madrid CF's sixth Brazilian player in January when he arrives at the Santiago Bernabéu in a reported €7m deal.

'Freshness'
Club president Ramón Calderón said: "He is an important signing for us. He is a young player who will inject some freshness into the side and is part of our plan to bring younger players into the squad. We're very happy because he's a pearl that half of Europe wanted." The 18-year-old has signed on until 2012 and could spend the second half of the season in Madrid's youth team, second division Real Madrid Castilla, to aid his transition to European football.

International goal
Marcelo, who will be presented after a medical on Wednesday, is seen as a long-term replacement for Roberto Carlos, and has many similar characteristics in that he is very quick and likes to join the attack. "Roberto Carlos is very happy and Marcelo is coming to replace him - when he allows him to," added Calderón. The teenager scored on his international debut as Brazil defeated Wales 2-0 in early September.