Summer transfer thread 2012

[Chazza]

Zenit St Petersburg have signed highly-rated Brazilian forward Hulk from FC Porto on a five-year contract.

Hulk is believed to be a long-time target of Chelsea but the Russian giants have ended speculation linking him with a Stamford Bridge move after confirming their swoop for the forward on their official website on Monday evening.

The club did not disclose the transfer fee but reports claim they have parted with €50million to secure the frontman.

The 26-year-old made a huge impact at Porto after joining from Tokyo Verdy in 2008.

But the Brazil international had long been linked with a new challenge, with his agent admitting earlier in the summer that the "time was right" for the player to move on.

Last week, Porto president Pinto da Costa revealed he had turned down an offer worth €50m from Zenit for the powerful forward, but a deal has now been reached by the two clubs.

Hulk scored 21 goals in all competitions last season and played a crucial role in Porto's Europa League title-winning campaign in 2010-11.sky

Madness.

[Chris]

"Falcao has always wanted to play in the Premier League. Ever since he was a boy he has loved Chelsea and has always thought it would be an honour to play for a big Premier League team."

Must have got a bit of stick for that, growing up in the backstreets of Colombia and his idols are Kevin Hitchcock, Michael Duberry, Craig Burley, Neil Shipperley and Mark Stein.

[Bender]

Madness.

Indeed

[Bender]

Must have got a bit of stick for that, growing up in the backstreets of Colombia and his idols are Kevin Hitchcock, Michael Duberry, Craig Burley, Neil Shipperley and Mark Stein.

exactly

[Chazza]

Zenit have also signed Axel Witsel.

[Bender]

U 

Zenit have also signed Axel Witsel.

ahh good old Russian roubles

[BobTheCharmer]

****ing russians. why on gods earth if you're labelled a top euro based talent would you choose to go to russia as a career option? Perhaps at 30 as one last pay day. He does realise that for a good proportion of the time there it'll be ****ing cold. I hope when he looks back and shows the grandkids his russian league winners medal they laugh in his face. What a cunt. He always struck me as the type of player who doesn't have the balls to make it in a top league. I hope he gets frostbite and loses an arm.

[Bender]

Yeah strange move indeed,must be getting paid bucket loads

[lickedlollipop]

i'm done with football.

[baitman]

cant believe that drunken bacon face splashed for RVP, when we all know he is too old, last year of contract, and that would be stupid, wouldnt it...

what was it... 25m for RVP. we couldnt find 6m down the back of the couch for dempsey

[Lee]

I hope he gets frostbite and loses an arm.

Does seem a strange move. Hulk to Zenit ffs?!

[rushscored4]

Does seem a strange move. Hulk to Zenit ffs?!

Incredible...

[Imy]

Does seem a strange move. Hulk to Zenit ffs?!

Green with envy?

[-V-]

Hulk is massively overrated, Can't believe Zenit paid such a ridiculous fee for him. He's 26 and couldn't even star in an under 23 Olympics tournament

[Chazza]

Tom Kundert @portugoaldotnet
Hulk: "I didn't expect this. After Saturday's game I said I'd help Porto win 3rd title ina row. Suddenly my agent rang to say deal was done"

Retweeted by James Horncastle