The Brazilian soccer club of Cruzeiro has signed five new players to strengthen the team for next season, a fight for position promises to be heated.

 

Of the five new faces, two are forwards. The former player from Nautico, Elicarlos, and one time player with Corinthians will go head to head for the position of forward.

 

In last year's Brasileiro tournament, coaches Paulo Autuori and Dorvial Junior used 14 different players at the position, reflecting the internal problems of the team.

 

Renan and Ricardinho, who started the year as starters, left the team before the season ended. To fill their places, Ramires and Charles were signed by the team to play, and have since been named to the Brazilian Olympic soccer team by Dunga, the team's head coach.

 

Luis Alberto was also hired before the Brasileiro Championship came to an end, however his situation with the team is uncertain. Leo Silva was seriously injured in August, but has since resigned his contract with hopes of a better season as a starter on the team.

 

Sandro, the midfielder and forward, also resigned his contract for next year. Another player who left the team last season was Elson, who went to play for Goias.

 

He ended up to be the team's hero as he scored on a penalty kick in the team's last game, securing a victory against Internacional that avoided their descent into the second division. Fernando also left the team, while Daniel, Jardel and Aldo were all added to next year's roster.

 

The loss of most of the team's forwards, including Adilson Batista, caused the team not only to hire Ramires and Charles -- who ended the year as starters, but inclusively brought Fabricio and Elicarlos. Henrique is also in the sight of Cruzeiro, and the team has successfully resigned Leo Silva and Sanndor.

 

In a media interview last Thursday, Fabricio spoke about the rivalry at the forward position saying, "It will be a healthy competition and it will be good for Cruzeiro." He said good things about his competition, Ramires and Charles, and stated that the team has acquired quality players.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 24, 2007)