Brazilian central defender Lucas Beraldo, known as ‘The Joker’ for his habit of laughing shortly before matches, signed for French champions Paris Saint Germain on Monday.
The 20-year-old signed a five year contract with PSG, ending a three-year stay at Sao Paulo with whom he won the 2023 Copa do Brasil. Beraldo, who says laughing prior to kick-off is part of his mental preparation, said joining PSG is a huge step for his career.
“I am very happy to sign for a club as ambitious as Paris Saint-Germain,” said Beraldo. “This is an important stage of my career, which will permit me to progress. I am eager to get to know my teammates and to take my first steps with the PSG shirt on my back.”
“In Brazil, Paris Saint-Germain is a very famous club. And I don’t think it’s just in Brazil, because in France, it’s the most successful club and has demonstrated that in recent years. I believe that this fact heavily influenced my decision to come to the biggest French club, not just to be an additional player, but to be able to contribute something else to the team so that we can continue winning titles,” he added.
Beraldo is according to a source close to the club emblematic of the type of player PSG are seeking now as they change tack from their previous strategy of signing superstars such as Lionel Messi and Neymar. The source said they are targeting young team players, who are not ‘bling bling’, and will sign long term contracts with lower salaries which can be re-evaluated later.
United’s Van de Beek loaned to Frankfurt for rest of season
Manchester United midfieder Donny van de Beek has joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan for the rest of the 2023-24 season. The 26-year-old Dutch international joined United in 2020 from Ajax Amsterdam but has not featured regularly for the club. He has made only two Premier League starts for United since returning from a loan spell at Everton in 2022.
After missing the first half of 2023 due to a ligament injury, he has appeared only once in the league this season as a late substitute. “Van de Beek will be pushing for more playing time in Germany,” United said in a statement. “Eintracht Frankfurt are currently sixth in the Bundesliga and face a UEFA Europa Conference League play-off with Union Saint-Gilloise of Belgium in February.”
Leicester surge 10 clear as Ipswich, Southampton stumble
Leicester opened up a 10-point lead at the top of the Championship with a 4-1 thrashing of Huddersfield as promotion rivals Ipswich and Southampton failed to get 2024 off to a winning start. Everton loanee Tom Cannon scored twice on his full debut for the Foxes as Leicester stretched their unbeaten run to 10 games. Ipswich are now without a win in five games as their push for back-to-back promotions has stalled.
Southampton missed the chance to close to within a point of the automatic promotion places after a 1-1 draw at Norwich. Josh Sargent cancelled out Adam Armstrong’s opener for the Saints. Leeds closed the gap on Ipswich to seven points with a comfortable 3-0 win over Wayne Rooney’s Birmingham.
Patrick Bamford, Dan James and Crysencio Summerville scored the goals for the home side at Elland Road. Rooney has won just of his 16 games since taking charge of Birmingham in October. Sunderland climbed into the playoff places with a 2-0 win over Preston. Fifth-placed West Brom succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Swansea.
Lucas Beraldo
