Source: Xinhua

09-03-2008 08:26

MADRID, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- There were a frantic 24 hours in Spain before the transfer window closed at midnight on Monday night with no fewer than 16 players changing clubs.

Although Real Madrid's late sale of winger Robinho to Manchester City captured most of the headlines, several other important footballers were also on the move.

The Brazilian apart, the biggest move saw Spanish international Sergio Garcia swap Zaragoza for Betis. Garcia had been looking to leave Zaragoza since their relegation to the second division at the end of last season, while Betis had been looking to add power to a lackluster attack.

The Spain international cost the Seville based club around 10 million euros.

However, Betis also had central defender Nano leaving the club. The former Getafe stopper has moved to Valladolid, who have also added Diego Leon to their squad from second division Levante and convinced former goalkeeper Alberto to come out of retirement.

Espanyol compensated in part for the sale of winger Albert Riera to Liverpool and Pablo Zabaleta to Manchester City, with the capture of 32-year-old full back Steve Finnan from Liverpool.

On the south coast, recently promoted Malaga added to their squad with the capture of former Spain international Albert Luque from Ajax of Amsterdam, ending the 30-year-old's overseas nightmare after a failed spell with Newcastle United and the Dutchside.

Racing Santander were another side active on Monday, landing midfielder Peter Luccin on loan from Zaragoza and defender Juan Valera from Atletico Madrid, while Athletic Club Bilbao signed left back from neighbors Real Sociedad.

Finally Mallorca brought in Javi Guerra from Granada 74, making him their eleventh and last signing of the summer.

 

Editor:Zhang Yue