7 September 2006, by Sean Gillen

Beto moves to Spain

Portuguese international signs for Recreativo Huelva

Spanish side Recreativo Huelva have announced the signing of Portuguese international defender Beto, having beaten the transfer deadline to bring the central defender to Spain from Bordeaux.

Beto moved to France from Sporting in January in the hope of gaining enough regular first-team football to force his way into Portugal’s World Cup squad.

However, the 30-year-old struggled to make an impact in Le Championat, with injury and strong competition for places reducing him to only a handful of appearances last season.

Newly-promoted La Liga outfit Recreativo offer Beto the chance to get his career back on track, and the centre-half has moved to the Nuevo Colombino on loan.

Recreativo were busy on deadline-day, brining in Liverpool striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle on loan, as well as established Spanish players such as Javi Guerrero and Pablo Amo.

Recreativo began their first campaign back in the Spanish top flight with a 1-1 home draw against Mallorca, and Beto could make his debut as they travel to Villarreal this coming Sunday.