Pardubice sign Brazilian forward Vinícius from Karviná

Czech football club Pardubice have signed Brazilian forward Vinícius, who previously played for Karviná. Negotiations over the transfer lasted more than a month, according to the club's sporting director Jiří Bílek.

"I'm glad we managed to see this transfer through to the end. It was a fairly long negotiation process that went on for more than a month. From the very start we knew we wanted this player. That makes it all the more pleasing that we found common ground in the end, and Vini is now becoming part of our organisation," said the 42-year-old former footballer, who now serves as the club's sporting director.

What the new forward brings to the team

During his time in the Czech league with Karviná, Vinícius made 36 appearances and scored five goals. Pardubice are hoping the Brazilian will add more variety to their attack.

"He gives us another option up front. He's a somewhat different type of forward compared to the ones we already have in the squad. He's strong in physical duels, capable of causing danger inside the box, and we believe his qualities will boost competition in the attacking phase," Bílek noted.

Triumph and collapse with Karviná

Last season, Vinícius played a notable role in Karviná's historic success — winning the national cup, the club's biggest achievement in its history. He scored in the semi-final Silesian derby against Ostrava, and then netted twice in the May final against Jablonec.

Yet just a month later, Karviná were relegated to the second division: the Czech Football Association's ethics committee excluded the Silesian club from the top flight for attempting to influence the outcome of three matches two years earlier.

Now Vinícius has a chance to prove himself once again among the elite of Czech football. "I can't wait for my debut in my new home. I'm also really looking forward to playing in front of our fans. I can promise them I'll give everything for Pardubice. I want us, together with my new teammates, to give them plenty to cheer about," the player himself said.

The Brazilian could make his Pardubice debut as early as Sunday in an away match against reigning champions Slavia. After two rounds of the league, Jan Trousil's side remain, along with Zlín, one of only two teams still without a single point.

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Around Prague, based on reporting by sport.cz