CSKA sells striker Vagner Love to Flamengo

PanARMENIAN.Net - CSKA Moscow striker Vagner Love has signed for Brazilian club Flamengo in a two-year deal, both clubs confirmed Wednesday, Jan 25.

According to RIA Novosti, the Rio-based club paid 10 million euros for the 27-year-old, Brazilian newspaper Globo Esporte reported, in a deal ending the Russian career of the Premier League's highest-scoring import.

Since joining in 2004, the dreadlocked Vagner Love scored 117 goals in 244 appearances, helping CSKA to two Russian league titles, five Russian Cups and the UEFA Cup, where he scored the third goal in a 3-1 win over Sporting Lisbon.

"We greet Love with great love," Flamengo vice-president Michel Levy told the club's website. "He's exactly the kind of player we need. We are very pleased that he's come back and we hope that the fans will celebrate ever more of his goals."

Vagner Love had a brief loan period at Flamengo in 2010, when he scored 23 goals in 27 appearances.

In a statement, CSKA thanked Love for his contribution to the club's success during his seven seasons at the club. "In the opinion of most fans and experts, he is the best foreign player not only at CSKA, but in all Russian football," the statement read.

"The team, the club and the many thousands in the army of CSKA fans thank Vagner for all that he has done for CSKA! We wish him good luck in everything and great new victories!"

Former Brazil captain Roberto Carlos, now at Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, wrote on his Twitter page: "Vagner Love has moved to Flamengo! Good luck, brother!"

Vagner Love has 21 caps for Brazil, scoring five goals.