By FRANCO PANIZO
Sergio Aguero's desire to play for a big club has been fulfilled, as he'll soon suit up for Manchester City.
City has signed the Argentine international, agreeing to a $63 million transfer fee with his current club, Atletico Madrid. The move makes him the second most expensive Premier League signing of all time, behind only Chelsea's Fernando Torres.
Aguero bolsters a Manchester City forward corps that already includes Argentina teammate Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko.
Here are more stories from around the soccer globe:
OREBRO WANTS RANGERS TO OFFER MORE FOR BEDOYA
If Orebro SK is to let Alejandro Bedoya leave this summer, Rangers FC will need to ante up its bid. Orebro wants Rangers to significantly increase its offer for the United States international, having already rejected a reported $489,500 bid. Rangers has already agreed to a pre-contract with Bedoya that will see him join the club during the winter transfer window, but the Scottish heavyweight is keen on acquiring him sooner.
2014 WORLD CUP DATES CONFIRMED
Amid fears that Brazil won't be ready to host the 2014 World Cup, FIFA has announced the dates of the tournament in an effort to assure that the country will be able to host soccer's biggest event. The tournament is slated to begin on June 12 and will finish on July 13. FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said just which city will hold the tournament opener will not be decided upon until October. Valcke also confirmed that the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil will run from June 15 to June 30.
RONALDINHO NETS HAT-TRICK AS FLAMENGO RALLY
Former World Player of the Year Ronaldinho showed a glimpse of his old ways, scoring a hat-trick to help Flamengo come from behind and defeat Santos 5-4 on Wednesday. Ronaldinho, the league's top scorer, tapped the ball in from close range and converted a free kick before hitting the equalizer in the 82nd minute of the match. Santos starlet Neymar also scored in the match, dribbling past several defenders before kicking the ball into the back of the net. The game also saw Elano's penalty kick woes continue, as he had a weak effort saved.
The game highlights can be seen here:
FIFA12 REVEALS UNITED KINGDOM COVER STARS
The best-selling soccer video game franchise has announced its United Kingdom cover stars for its upcoming installment. EA revealed that Arsenal's Jack Wilshere will join Wayne Rooney on the cover of FIFA12 for versions of the game released in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scandinavia and Middle East. Rooney is on the cover for a seventh consecutive time. No word yet on who will grace the cover in North America.
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What do you think of Aguero signing with Manchetser City? Should Rangers offer more for Bedoya or just wait until the winter transfer window to acquire him? Who are you hoping is on the cover of FIFA12 in North America?
Share your thoughts below.
First, Aguero WAS at a big team, he just went to a different one. As for what I think, well Reyes scored a duece in Europa Cup play today, so i say take the $45 million and adios, Kun!
Larson went from Celtic to Barcelona. Van Bronckhorst went from Rangers to Arsenal (later to Barcelona). Alan Hitton went to Spurs from Rangers. Peter Lovenjrands left Rangers for Schalke (in the years when they were seriously coming close to the Bundesliga title). So probably not completely a stagnant backwater, but rather a good team in a middling league that has the advantage of being able to offer a good amount of European games in addition to it’s league..
Well, there are examples of players using at as a stepping stone to better leagues. Alan Hutton to Spurs is the most recent example. There’s also Peter Løvenkrands who went on to Schalke and Giovanni van Bronckhorst who left for Arsenal and later played for Barcelona. And on the other side Henrik Larson went from Celtic to Barcelona. So perhaps not the stagnant graveyard you make out to be . . .
I think it’s mostly to be around some quality players ( and there are a quite a few on Rangers & Celtic ), and play in a league that teaches you to deal with physicality and high pace games without dealing with world class players such as in the EPL. It’s as much about accustoming yourself to certain styles as it is growing as a player in actual skill, in my opinion anyways…
Lifetime financial security at this point in Bedoya’s career has got to be very important–he’s entering his prime earning years…
Champions league and good exposure to England, I would suppose.
Still don’t understand the motivation for players to make moves to Rangers or Celtic. SPL is a wasteland and talent, what talent there is there, stagnates.
If they had Deuce w/his wife that may help the CD8 brand recognition
I just hope we don’t see a FIFA 12 with any of the As: Adu, Altidore, Agudelo… or any other young up-and-coming player who would get too much of an unjustified ego-boost from such an honor.
I know, there’s no way Adu will be cover boy, but he fit the “A” theme, so…
Chicharito will be on it, but will probably have to share with Rooney and Donovan. Maybe Dempsey instead of Donovan but I don’t think he’s well-known enough with the casual fans.
Miller signed with Cardiff City.
You do know that his contract is up in January. That’s why he’s cheap because he’ll be a free agent in 6 months.
Wow. That game was amazing. Crap defending, to be sure, but what skill.
As for Bedoya, I was wondering what Orebro was thinking till I saw the transfer fee. Seriously? Bedoya’s worth at least a million, that’s not saying much.
i thought I read somewhere that the # for Orebro was $700K. With a pre contract signed and the preseason coming to an end they better take what they can get or risk losing him for nothing.
Rangers need Bedoya (or to get Kenny Miller back).