Let's welcome...

[Cleo]

MADRID, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Deportivo Coruna have agreed to sell right back Alvaro Arbeloa to Liverpool, the Primera Liga side said on Tuesday.
”It’s a good option for the club and I’m sure they’ll sell him for more than they bought him for five months ago,” Deportivo coach Joaquin Caparros told a news conference.
Spanish media reported that Liverpool would pay four million euros ($5.18 million) for the 24-year-old who joined Depor from Real Madrid for 1.3 million euros at the start of the season


Does anyone know anything about this fella???

[PLY]

http://www.eurosport.com/football/la-liga/...to1070806.shtml

Liverpool have continued their flurry of activity ahead of Wednesday night's transfer deadline by signing Deportivo La Coruna defender Alvaro Arbeloa.

With Rafa Benitez targeting three signings over the next couple of days, the centre back is travelling to Merseyside to undergo a medical.

Malaga's Francis Duran has agreed to his switch to Anfield and Javier Mascherano looks likely to obtain permission from FIFA to arrive from West Ham.

Benitez has looked to his homeland again to swoop for Arbeloa after thrashing out a deal with Depor.

"The club has got a very good investment," declared coach Joaquin Caparros in confirming the transfer.

Real Madrid are entitled to 50 percent of the profit on the money earned on the 24-year-old, who has made 14 appearances this term, after he started his career with the capital club.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players...=42550&cc=5739

[Cleo]

Looks like a great buy...

[simey85]

have never heard of this lad. is good or bad?

[Rich]

Where is Tribalfootball when you need it?!?

[Cleo]

oops!

What happened to your picture???

[Bob]

[Craig_H]

Looks like a great buy...

Not having a go or anything...but have you actually seen him play? Like, ever?

[Bob]

Not having a go or anything...but have you actually seen him play? Like, ever?

He has played 19 times for Deportivo this season, so it's certainly likely.

I haven't a scooby though.

[Craig_H]

He has played 19 times for Deportivo this season, so it's certainly likely.

I haven't a scooby though.

I hope he is indeed going to be a 'great' buy.

I get the impression though, that people throw that kind of opinion around, with very little (if anything) to base it on, other than their own hopes.

[Rhys]

link from eurosprt:

http://www.eurosport.com/football/la-liga/2006-2007/sport_sto1070806.shtml

its a strange buy a 24 year old right back its obviously just for cover in case finnan gets injured. lets hope he's good.

[Craig_H]

So Reuters are calling him a right back, while Eurosport are saying centre back.

Left winger it is then...

[Cleo]

Not having a go or anything...but have you actually seen him play? Like, ever?

I was just kidding - PLY posted a picture of Rafa sitting in the dugout at Charlton.
Next to him you could see a bit of a jacket and I thought PLY was refering to the owner of the jacket as being the new mystery man...

In reality I know nothing about this guy but I just found this on Wikipedia



Álvaro Arbeloa Coca (born 17 January 1983) is a young centrel defender/right defender with Deportivo de La Coruña. Arbeloa is another young talent from the Real Madrid youth system.

On July 24, 2006 after the departure of Castilla striker Roberto Soldado, a second Castilla player left Real Madrid's training camp is Austria, Real Madrid Castilla's Captain, no. 17 Álvaro Arbeloa. The 23 year old left Real and said: "This is a strange situation for me, i have been playing for Real Madrid Castilla for 5 years, since i was 18 year's old, Real was nothing but good to me, but it's time for me to go. real has the best players in the world, although that is great for the club, unfortunately that's not so great for Cantera players, only a few of us can find there place in the first team, and even those how find there place in the first team like Álvaro Mejía and Paco Pavon are only 3ed or 4th pick and that is why i want to live the club, to a club where i can get some play time, in the Primera Liga of course. Deportivo de La Coruña is one of the best clubs in Spain, and with Joaquín Caparrós as head coach I will certainely get more experience, and get better, what is most important is that he will have confidence in me. I have enjoyed my time in real, and i thank evrybody who helped me. I'm leaving Madrid to play more, no other reason."

Real Madrid will gain 50% off the transfer fee if he is sold in the next three years.

[PLY]

What happened to your picture???

It was part of the Eurosport article which I was trying to post - I was just aiming to prove how much of a ****wit I am when dealing with computers and I feel that did quite well

[Shaggy]

Bloody hell, it's all go!