MARCELO CIPRIANO |
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Position: Forward Date of Birth: 11/10/69 Place of Birth: Brasil Height: 6'0" Date Signed: 25/10/99 Signed from: Sheffield United Transfer fee: £500,000 Blues Lge & Cup apps: 0 + 0 subs Blues Lge & Cup goals: 0 Blues debut: Career: Benfica, Real Alaves, Sheffield United. |
Signed by Trevor Francis in October 1999 from Sheffield United to ease a crippling injury list which was threatening to ruin Blues season following a good start to the campaign. A Portuguese national of Brazilian birth he made his name at Benfica where he finished the club's top scorer for two seasons running, before moving to Spain where he attracted the attention of Sheffield United. A hard working target man with an eye for goal, Marcelo made an immediate impact at Bramall Lane by scoring on his debut against QPR in 1997. Started last season as very much second choice but the sale of Dean Saunders and Gareth Taylor and the long term injury to Petr Katchouro saw Marcelo firmly entrench himself in the Blades line-up, ending the season in prolific form with 19 goals and attracting the attention of a number of clubs both in Portugal and abroad. With his contract due to expire at the end of the season, the powerful striker was looking to exercise his right under the Bosman ruling and had already failed to agree a deal with Blues and Premiership Watford. The deal seemed to have collapsed, when the player refused to sign a contract that included a one year option, but the player changed his mind and decided to sign for Blues on Monday October 25. |
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