Bernard Moves To Shakhtar On Five-Year Deal

[Folami David]

Shakhtar Donetsk have signed attacking midfielder Bernard, one of Brazil's mostly highly rated young players, for €25 million from Atletico Mineiro, the Ukrainian club said on Thursday.
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The 20-year-old helped Atletico Mineiro win the Libertadores Cup last month and was part of the Brazil squad which won the Confederations Cup in June, making two substitute appearances.
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He is the 11th Brazilian member of the Shakhtar squad, who have won the Ukrainian Premier League for the last four seasons.
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Atletico accepted Shakhtar's offer last week but Bernard, who was reportedly being chased by Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Porto, was hesistant about the move, according to Brazilian media.
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He left for Ukraine earlier this week saying only that he wanted to look at the club's facilities.
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Shakhtar said on their website (www.shakhtar.com that Bernard had been allowed to chose his shirt number and opted for 10, considered the most prestigious by Brazilian players. He has signed a five-year contract.
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Bernard, who is only 164 centimetres tall, was twice axed from Atletico Mineiro's youth divisions because he was considered too lightweight.
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In 2010, Bernard, full name Bernard Alicio Caldeira Duarte, was loaned to third-division Democrata where he scored 14 goals in 16 games before returning to Atletico Mineiro.
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He has thrived since Cuca took over as coach of the Belo Horizonte side two years ago.
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Bernard scored on his last appearance for Atletico Mineiro one week ago but, having already been booked, was sent off for taking his shirt off as he celebrated.

[Shola Sholaz]

A five yer- deal is something wonderful for a football career. Bernard is one lucky chap to secure this. Shaktar is lucky to have him too....