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Forlan fills Eto’s vacant slot

Comment: 0 August 29th, 2011 by: admin

HE may be past 30 but Diego Forlan is still very much on the “wanted’’ list.

At a news conference last Monday, the Uruguayan striker bid Atletico Madrid farewell and announced he is joining Italian giants Inter Milan.

The move was widely seen as Inter’s way to fill the spot left by Samuel Eto’o, who recently linked up with Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala to become the world’s highest-paid football player.

“It’s not everyday you get the chance to play for Inter Milan at 32 years old,’’ said Forlan at Atletico’s Vicente Calderon Stadium. “Let’s hope I can meet expectations.’’

Forlan, whose transfer fee was not disclosed, will not get the go signal to play for Inter in the Champions League unless the team reaches the knockout stages because he is already featured for Atletico in the Europe League this summer.

The former Manchester United and Villarreal player still has two years left on his deal with Atletico. His contract with Inter was reported to be also at two years.

“I hope I can adapt quickly with Inter,’’ he said. “I go to another club where I like the project and the expectations they have.’’

Despite probably nearing his twilight, Forlan remains to be in top form. He was voted the Best Player in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where Uruguay reached the semifinals and led his country to the title in this year’s Copa America.

Forlan, winner of the Golden Boot awards twice as Europe’s top goalscorer, spent four seasons with Atletico and helped them win the Europe League final by scoring two goals.

Due to misunderstanding with then Atletico coach Quique Sanchez Flores, Forlan was out of the starting lineup the latter half of last season but said he has moved on.

“The past four years with Atletico remain a good memory,’’ added Forlan, who netted 96 goals in 198 appearances for the Madrid side which he also led to the Copa del Rey final in 2010.

Forlan was the second high-profile Atletico player to exit the team recently after Sergio Aguero who joined Manchester City. Forland and Aguero once formed Atletico’s fearsome striking duo.

Atletico, meanwhile, took in Colombia striker Radamel Falcao in a 40-million euro (US$58 million) deal with FC Porto.

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