© EuroFootball.com
The champions of France announced that they have acquired the very promising Brazilian national team and SC "International" forward Nilmar.
The 20-year-old player, who was a member of the Brazilian national team that won the 2003 Youth World Cup, signed a five-year contract with the French champions. "Lyon" paid 6.5 million euros for the forward from the "Internacional" club.
"Lyon" started looking for another high-class forward after Giovanni Elber suffered a serious injury and it became clear that he might not be able to help his team this year.
One of the coaches of the French team, Paul le Guen, upon meeting the new club forward, immediately highlighted his strongest trait - speed.
"He spends less time in the penalty area than Giovanni [Elber], moves similarly to Wayne [Rooney] or Michael [Owen], but he is faster than them." - he said.
The player himself added that speed is his strongest asset.
"Quick football is played in Europe, and speed is my forte," he said.
Nilmar returns to Brazil this weekend, where he will represent the national team in the World Cup qualifying matches. The player is expected to return to Lyon before the first UEFA Champions League match.
