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Reyes makes Atletico switch |
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Written by Zico Kelly
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Monday, 30 July 2007 |
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Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement to sign Jose Antonio Reyes from Arsenal for an undisclosed fee. A statement on the club's official website reports that Reyes has signed a four-year deal and will be unveiled at 10am on Tuesday. The 23-year-old Spain forward will then join up with his new team-mates ahead of the pre-season Amsterdam tournament at the weekend. Reyes spent last season on loan at Real Madrid, where he scored on the last day against Mallorca to help seal the win that brought the Primera Liga title back to the Bernabeu for the first time in four years. Unhappy with the climate in England, Reyes wanted to return to Spain, but an agreement between Arsenal and Real could not be reached. Reyes joined Arsenal from Sevilla in January 2004 and made a total of 110 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 23 goals.
Elsewhere, Birmingham have completed the signing of midfielder Hossam Ghaly from Tottenham for £3million - subject to a successful application for a work permit. The 25-year-old Egypt international has signed a three-year deal with the St Andrews club, with the option of a further two years. He becomes Steve Bruce's eighth signing of the summer, following Blues' return to the Barclays Premier League. The former Al-Ahly and Feyenoord player is best known as a defensive central midfielder, although he has also figured as a right full-back. He joined Tottenham in January last year, going on to make 34 appearances for the north London side, scoring three goals. Monday's news brings to an end a saga which saw Ghaly claim on Sunday to have completed his move, although a Blues spokesman said the deal was "nowhere near" being finalised.
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