Santos’s Danilo delighted with Benfica interest, Saint-Etienne sign Florent Sinama-Pongolle on loan
Santástico Star Danilo wants a move to Estadio da Luz
Santos defender Danilo has expressed his desire for Benfica despite being on the radar of Italian giants, AC Milan.
“I am excited [about Benfica's interest] because it is a great club, which is used to winning,"
"They are an ideal team for my first European experience - especially as there is no language barrier." The youngster was reported as saying.
Danilo started his career in the youth ranks of America-MG, before making his way up the pecking order at Estádio Independência. He made his debut for the Rabbit in 2009, taking to the field nine times in the Brazilian Series C Championship. Although the
team won promotion to the Brazilian Serie B in 2010, Danilo signed with Santos after his playing rights were bought by a group of investors.
The 19-year-old has been capped by the Selecao at U-20 level and was a key player for them in the 2011 South American Championships, where he scored a single goal.
Sporting loan Florent Sinama-Pongolle to Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
Saint-Etienne have confirmed that Sinama-Pongolle will play for the Ligue 1 side next season on loan, with an option to buy at the end of the season.
The French International started his career with AS Le Havre before being signed by Liverpool in 2001. He stayed with Le Havre on loan for two seasons before moving to the English giants in 2006. Although he wasn’t a major success at Merseyside, he showed
glimpses of his talents and the 20-yard chip against Real Betis in the UEFA Champions League was arguably his greatest moment in the Red colours.
After failing to make an impression at Anfield, he had short loan spells with Blackburn Rovers and Recreativo de Huelva, before signing permanently for the latter. The Blues International repaid his €4 million price tag by becoming the Deans top scorer consecutively
for two seasons.
The 26-year-old was then sold to Atletico Madrid for €10 million, where he netted 5 goals in 40 appearances. His time at Vicente Calderon was cut short when he was transferred again, this time to Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon for €6.5 million.
The Tri-Colour International now returns to his homeland to ply his trade with Les Verts.