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Portugal's Tiago career in London team is coming to an end. The 24-year-old midfielder will soon finalize personal contract details and wear the team's jersey.
Both clubs have already agreed on the transfer fee - it will be around 6.8 million pounds sterling. The footballer, together with his agent Jorge Mendes, has already traveled to France, where he will start negotiations for the contract and undergo a medical examination.
The talented Portuguese player, who spent most of last season on the bench in the star-studded "Chelsea" team, occasionally found himself in the starting eleven under Jose Mourinho. However, with the acquisition of Ghana's national team star Michael Essien, Tiago's chances to regularly appear on the field decreased even more.
"Negotiations are practically finished," Mendes said. "It's the best decision because he wants to play regularly."
As the 2006 World Cup approaches, in which Portugal's national team is likely to participate, Tiago does not hide his desire to spend the season not on the bench.
"If I want to participate in the World Cup, I need playing minutes," Tiago stated. "With M. Essien's arrival, my situation has become complicated, and the offer from Lyon was great. The opportunity to play in the Champions League is excellent."
In the near future, the Portuguese player, who arrived in London last summer from the team for 8 million pounds, will sign a five-year contract. Yesterday, for the same reason, "Chelsea" also let go of another defender from the Czech Republic, Jiri Jarosik.
