Roma reach Baptista agreement
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Article summary
AS Roma have agreed to sign Brazil attacker Júlio Baptista from fellow UEFA Champions League hopefuls Real Madrid CF for a fee that could increase to €11m.
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Four-year contract
After failing to land ACF Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu as a replacement for FC Internazionale Milano-bound Mancini, the Giallorossi turned to the 26-year-old Baptista, and he has settled on a contract until 2012. An initial fee of €9m has been agreed but an extra €2m would be due if Roma qualify for the UEFA Champions League in 2009/10 and 2010/11.
Brazil caps
Capped 36 times by his country, Baptista joined Madrid from Sevilla FC in 2005, two years after leaving hometown club São Paulo FC, and scored eleven goals in 58 Spanish league appearances either side of a 2006/07 loan to Arsenal FC. Like the Spanish champions, Roma enter the UEFA Champions League in the group stage.