Neymar to stay at Santos (UOL Esporte)

Neymar has ended speculation about his future and signed a new 5 year contract at Santos. Chelsea officialised their 30 million Euro offer today (that Santos still would have rejected) but Neymar put an end to all of the nonsense by signing the new deal. Good on him. He will have an increase in salary (to around 60,000 Euros per week), marketing commitments and a new release clause of 45 million Euros under terms of the new contract. Once more, it seems, when trying to sign a Brazilian star, Chelsea have haggled, dithered and lost their man (Robinho, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Daniel Alves).

Neymar said: “The decision was complicated. I had a lot of things going through my head. But God gave us wisdom and competence to make the best decision. Now, its time just to concentrate on Santos and win more throphies.” The deal was announced in a press conference where Neymar was accompanied by his agent, Wagner Ribeiro, Santos president, Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro and – just in case you are struggling with all the names – Neymar’s father, wait for it….. the appropriately called …. Neymar da Silva Santos. Thats true. Thats really his name. No joke.

Meanwhile Santos have sold utility man Wesley to Werder Bremen for a reported 10 million Euros and signed Rodrigo Possebon from Manchester United as a replacement.

See my previous thoughts on the subject here.