Switching Atlético for Anzhi (Getty Images)

Diego Tardelli is the latest Brazilian star to sign for this strange up-and-coming team Anzhi Makhachkala from Dagestan, Russia. This team clearly means business and have now signed Roberto Carlos and two of Brazil’s better young players Jucilei (22) and Diego Tardelli (25).

Diego Tardelli has been on the fringes of the seleção for a few years now and came close to going to the 2010 World Cup for his form with Atlético Mineiro. A top quality forward: quick, strong, good in the air, good with both feet and scores lots of goals. His departure will leave a huge gap in the Atlético attack who will hope to bring in a replacement quickly.

The transfer fee received by Atlético was reported to be 5 million euros for the 62.5% of Tardelli’s transfer rights that they own. In Brazil unlike England, players ownership rights are often owned by entities other than the clubs including sponsors, sports marketing agencies, players’ agents and the players themselves – players can have multiple owners. I don’t know who owned the rest of Tardelli’s transfer rights but the total transfer fee should be around 8 million Euros. I’d say that’s a bargain for Anzhi considering Manchester City and Liverpool were both said to be interested last year.