Santos sign Hamburg defender Cleber

Rio de Janeiro, Dec 15 : Santos have secured center-back Cleber on a four-year deal from Bundesliga club Hamburg, according to the player’s agent. The Brazilian club agreed to pay $2 million for 60 percent of the 26-year-old’s economic rights, the Lance newspaper said on Wednesday, citing Cleber’s agent Guilherme Miranda.

“I was surprised at the coordition involving Santos’ staff and the coach Dorival Junior,” Miranda was quoted as saying. “While other teams tried to negotiate via email, Santos made the effort to speak to him persolly and got him to sign, even with a lower offer.”

Cleber has failed to hold down a first-team place with the German outfit since his move from Corinthians in 2014. Santos finished second in this year’s Brazilian Serie A championship, earning them a berth in next year’s Copa Libertadores, South America’s top club competition. IANS