Shakhtar seal Costa signing
Reuters - Monday 11 January 2010, 12:51
KIEV - Brazilian midfielder Douglas Costa
- linked with moves to both Manchester United and Arsenal last summer - has joined UEFA Cup winners Shakhtar Donetsk for six million
euros from Gremio, the Ukraine club said on
their website on Monday.
Costa, 19, has signed a five-year deal.
Shakhtar, who boast a host of Brazilian talent in their
squad, face England's Fulham in the Europa League last 32 tie
next month.
The youngster was widely tipped to complete a move to the Premier League during the close-season, with both the Red Devils and Gunners linked with Costa's signature.
Reports claimed Sir Alex Ferguson had hoped to bring the Samba sensation to Old Trafford to support Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov in attack following the losses of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.
While Emirates Stadium supremo Arsene Wenger was put under pressure from his own supporters to add to his squad during the close-season - calls that have been vindicated following the absence through injury to Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner and Eduardo, meaning Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin has been converted into a makeshift front-man.
Follow FFT.com on Twitter
Join FFT.com on Facebook