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Friday Kickoff: Teixeira, Copa del Rey, Lazio and more

Alex-Teixeira-Getty

Following in the footsteps of many others this winter, another talented Brazilian is heading to China.

Shakhtar Donetsk confirmed the transfer of Alex Teixeira to Chinese club Jiangsu Suning FC, and will receive $56 million (50 million) for the 26-year-old midfielder. (REPORT)

Sevilla pummeled Celta Vigo, 4-0, in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals, thanks to a Kévin Gameiro double and goals from Adil Rami and Michael Krohn-Dehli. (REPORT)

Italian club Lazio was fined $56,000 (50,000) and was instructed to close stadium section Curva Nord for two games following racist chants towards Napoli centerback Kalidou Koulibaly. (REPORT)

Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua is reportedly set to make a lucrative offer for Brazil and Zenit Saint Petersburg striker Hulk. The mega deal is said to be roughly €91m. (REPORT)

Manchester City revealed it would play preseason matches in China this summer. (REPORT)

Real Betis announced the signing of former Brazilian international Leandro Damiao, 26, on a free transfer from Brazilian club Cruzeiro. (REPORT)

The Spanish Football Federation’s Appeals Commission reduced Atlético Madrid defender Filipe Luis’ suspension for his challenge on Barcelona star Lionel Messi from three games to one game. (REPORT)

Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has expressed an interest in acquiring 22-year-old Juventus star Paul Pogba. (REPORT)

THURSDAY REWIND

The Seattle Sounders have started the preseason practicing a 4-3-3 formation rather than a 4-4-2, and head coach Sigi Schmid is pleased with the results so far. (REPORT)

SBI wants to know in the latest Reader Poll: How will the LA Galaxy do in 2016? (REPORT)

American midfielder Christian Pulisic, 17, was added to Borussia Dortmund’s UEFA Europa League roster ahead of its round of 32 series against FC Porto on Feb. 18 and Feb. 25. (REPORT)

U.S. Under-20 forward Joshua Perez has reportedly signed a multi-year contract with Serie A club Fiorentina. (REPORT)

After an eventful 2015, forward C.J. Sapong is ready to lead the Philadelphia Union as the team’s top striker. (REPORT)

Here are the results from Thursday’s top leagues and competitions:

SPANISH COPA DEL REY

  • Sevilla 4-0 Celta Vigo

FRENCH LIGUE 1

  • Stade Rennes 0-1 St. Etienne

COPA LIBERTADORES

  • Independiente del Valle 1-0 Guarani
  • Oriente Petrolero 1-3 Independiente Santa Fe

What do you think of Teixeira’s move to China?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Just exempt DP’s from salary cap, add sponsorship money (stadium’s name or jersey’s money) for bonuses and transfers, increase max salary (like non-DP’s $650k), let’s teams use more transfer for salary cap, and continue Dos Santos Giovinco DP model.

    Reply
  2. MLS Want to be one the Elite(Best) in the world in 2020, Ummm I don’t think so. Especially since China is paying pretty much Big Bucks for young n Med player who are still in their prime. If MLS is planning to be one of the Best it better start opening their wallet soon at least to bring some players here that are on their best. Not saying MLS should go crazy in their spending but pay much better and raise their Salary Cap to at least 20 million.

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  3. Still is a good thing: MLS not trying to out bid Chinese league, but still healthy MLS try out bid MX teams, and trying to get above average young players from Top Euro leagues or mega stars from MX league.

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  4. $56M for racist chants? I guess Serie A is stepping up their anti-racism campaign…… I jest, it’s a typo. It was only $56k if anyone bothered to read the article linked.

    Reply

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