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Santos confirms transfer of Rodrygo to Real Madrid in record deal
Rio de Janeiro, June 15 (IANS) Brazilian football club Santos confirmed Friday that it had reached a deal to send 17-year-old star forward Rodrygo to Real Madrid for a record transfer fee.
“This is the biggest deal … for a club in the entire history of Latin American soccer,” the club said in a statement, without specifying the figures, reported Efe.
Santos said that under the terms of the agreement, Rodrygo would move to Real Madrid in July 2019.
“Santos fans will still have the pleasure of seeing Rodrygo for another year wearing our mythical jersey. We expect it to be an important period in terms of the player’s development in Brazilian soccer and sporting triumphs for Santos,” the team said in a statement.
Although Santos did not reveal the amount of the transfer fee, press reports indicate the Brazilian club will receive 40 million euros (roughly $46.5 million), or 80 percent of the player’s buyout clause.
Those reports indicate that Real Madrid will need to pay a total of 54 million euros ($62.6 million), including payments to Rodrygo’s agents and taxes.
“Real Madrid C.F. and Santos Futebol Clube have agreed that Rodrygo Goes will play his football at Real Madrid when he reaches the legal age requirement,” the Blancos said in an announcement Friday.
Although the player would be eligible to play for Real Madrid as of January 2019, when he turns 18, the agreement in place sets out that he will join the La Liga club in July of that year.
Although Real Madrid inked a 45-million-euro ($52.2 million) transfer deal for Vinicius Junior, a Brazilian forward for Rio club Flamengo who is set to join the Blancos next month, the recent depreciation of the real relative to the euro makes the deal reached with Santos more expensive in terms of Brazilian currency.
Rodrygo, who has drawn comparisons to Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar because of his feints and dribbling skill, is Santos’ top scorer thus far in the 2018 season with five goals and was recently called up for Brazil’s U-20 squad.
Liverpool, PSG and FC Barcelona had also expressed interest in the player.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.