Brighton signs Brazilian defender Igor Julio from Fiorentina ahead of European campaign

Wed, Jul 26, 2023
Soccer News (AP)

BRIGHTON, England (AP) - Brazilian defender Igor Julio completed his move to Brighton from Fiorentina on Wednesday.

The Premier League club said the 25-year-old Igor signed a four-year deal and will start training with his teammates next week when they return from the United States.

The value of the transfer was not disclosed but British media reported it was about 15 million pounds ($19 million).

Other news Bowen ends West Ham's 58-year wait for European title with late winner against Fiorentina PRAGUE (AP) - West Ham ended a 58-year wait for a European trophy after Jarrod Bowen scored in the 90th minute to secure a 2-1 win over Fiorentina on Wednesday in the Europa Conference League final. West Ham, Fiorentina aim to end long European trophy droughts in Europa Conference League final PRAGUE (AP) - West Ham and Fiorentina haven't won a European trophy for more than 50 years.

The drought will end for one of them when they play out the Europa Conference League final on Wednesday in Prague. MATCHDAY: Fiorentina looking to end Serie A season with a win ahead of European final A look at what's happening in European soccer on Friday:

ITALY

Fiorentina will be looking to end its Serie A season with a win to boost its confidence going into next week's Europa Conference League final. Lautaro Martinez scores 2 as Inter beats Fiorentina 2-1 for Italian Cup title ROME (AP) - Take note, Manchester City: the bigger the match, the bigger the performance from Lautaro Martinez lately.

Igor joins Brighton after a club-best sixth-place finish in the Premier League, earning the team a first entry into European competition.

Brighton's place in the group stage of the Europa League was confirmed by UEFA only this month. Owner Tony Bloom had to reduce his stake in Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise - which also qualified for the Europa League - to comply with UEFA rules on multi-club ownership designed to protect the integrity of games and transfers.

Igor helped Fiorentina to the final of the Europa Conference League last season, where the Italian team lost to West Ham. Fiorentina also lost in the Italian Cup final.

The defender came to Europe through the Red Bull multi-club system, leaving its youth setup in Brazil to join Austrian champion Salzburg.

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