Madrid bring in Baptista
Friday, July 29, 2005
Article summary
Real Madrid CF have bought Julio Baptista from Sevilla FC in a deal that could be worth up to €24.5m.
Article body
Third recruit
Although the terms of the 23-year-old's contract are yet to be disclosed, the Brazilian international has become Madrid's third summer signing following the arrivals of Uruguayan international duo Pablo García and Carlos Diogo.
'Logical decision'
Sevilla chairman Jose María Del Nido said of the move: "The only logical decision was to sell him." Sevilla will receive an initial €20m from Madrid with the remainder of the fee being performance-related.
Scoring sensation
Baptista, who had attracted the public interest of Arsenal FC, joined Sevilla from São Paulo FC in a €2.75m transfer two summers ago. Initially considered an orthodox midfielder, he took a more attacking role in the Primera División, scoring 20 goals in 30 games in his first Spanish season, before registering 18 times in the league and five times in the UEFA Cup in 2004/05.
