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August 20, 2011

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Atletico in record deal for Porto's Falcao

ATLETICO Madrid bought Colombia striker Radamel Falcao from FC Porto yesterday in a Portuguese record transfer deal of 40 million euros (US$57 million).

The Portuguese club said in a statement to the Lisbon stock exchange that the price tag could rise to 47 million euros (US$67 million) depending on variable factors it did not specify.

Atletico said on its website that Falcao had agreed to a five-year contract and was scheduled to arrive in Madrid to undergo medical test later yesterday.

Nicknamed "El Tigre", Falcao was a key player for Porto last season, scoring 34 goals to help it win four trophies, including the Portuguese title, in a 30-game unbeaten league run.

Falcao will step in to fill the role vacated by Argentina striker Sergio Aguero, who joined Manchester City in a 38 million pound (US$62 million) deal last month. The 25-year-old Falcao scored the only goal in the Europa League final in Dublin to set a record of 17 goals scored in Europe's second-tier competition. The previous mark was held by Germany's Juergen Klinsmann who netted 15 times when Bayern Munich lifted the 1996 UEFA Cup.

Chelsea was also reportedly interested in Falcao since coach Andres Villas-Boas had coached the Colombian last season at Porto.

Porto paid Argentine club River Plate 3.93 million euros (US$5.5 million) for Falcao in 2009.

Porto said it is also selling Portugal midfielder Ruben Micael to Atletico for 5 million euros.

Atletico said Micael had agreed to a four-year deal.

 

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