Schalke land 'Zé Roberto II'
Friday, January 4, 2008
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FC Schalke 04 have recruited one of their chief winter transfer targets, Brazilian José Roberto de Oliveira from Botafogo FR, on a contract until summer 2011.
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FC Schalke 04 have recruited one of their chief transfer targets after Brazilian José Roberto de Oliveira, dubbed Zé Roberto II due to his similarity to the FC Bayern München man, from Botafogo FR penned a contract until June 2011.
Big challenge
The 26-year-old said at his unveiling in Gelsenkirchen today: "Moving here is a big challenge for me and I want to establish myself as soon as possible." Schalke tried without success to sign the attacking midfielder in the summer, and Oliveira had to undergo lengthy medical tests before the deal finally went through today. Coach Mirko Slomka said: "He's had a long and tiring season. He also had a torn muscle recently and an arm injury."
Rodríguez departs
Oliveira will depart for a training camp with his new team-mates in Turkey in readiness for the second half of the Bundesliga season and the resumption of the UEFA Champions League, where Schalke meet FC Porto in the last 16. Uruguayan defender Darío Rodríguez will play no part in either, however, after the Ruhr club agreed to cancel his contract early.
