11 July 2007, by Tom Kundert

Ricardo swaps Sporting for Betis

Lions line up Serbian Vladimir Stojkovic as replacement

Sporting and Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo has all but completed his surprise transfer to La Liga club, Betis.

The penalty-saving specialist passed his medical in Seville yesterday and is expected to sign a 4-year contract today. Sporting will receive 3 million euros for the 31-year-old keeper.

The news comes as a big blow to Sporting, who also saw left-back Tello surprisingly abandon the club at the start of the close season. Both Ricardo and Tello had enjoyed their best seasons in a Sporting shirt in 2006/07.

Sporting have again turned East for an immediate replacement. After the signings of midfield duo Izmailov (Russian) and Vukcevic (Montenegrin), it appears Serbian international Vladimir Stojkovic is the chosen replacement for Ricardo.

The 23-year-old belongs to French club Nantes, but has played for Dutch side Vitesse for the last six months on loan. It is believed a 4-year contract is being negotiated, with the player costing the Lisbon club around 1 million euros.


Related: Ricardo PortuGOAL profile
Related: Sporting stunned by Tello “betrayal”