Wednesday, 25th June, 2014



Russian giants Zenit St. Petersburg have completed the signing of defender Ezequiel Garay from Benfica.

The Argentine, who has long been linked with Manchester United, has cost Zenit a fee of around €15m, with Benfica taking a cut of €6m, due to not owning all the economic rights of the player.




Garay is currently in action with Argentina at the World Cup, but his arrival will be a boost to former Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas, who is in charge at Zenit.

The centre-back helped Benfica win the Portuguese Primeira Liga title last season, along with reaching the final of the Europa League.

 


The defender told Benfica fans through a statement: "I want to thank everyone at Benfica for three magnificent years and especially the fans for the love they have given to me."

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Garay joined Benfica in 2011, moving from Spanish giants Real Madrid.

He has penned a five-year deal with Zenit.

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