Islanders sign striker Cavenaghi

Described as a ‘goal machine’ by the club, Real Mallorca have confirmed the signing of 26-year-old Argentinian striker Fernando Cavenaghi on loan from French side Bordeaux. The loan deal will last 12 months with a £3.3 million buy option at the end of the deal. This has shocked the press considering Cavenaghi’s contract at Bordeaux expires in the summer, suggesting that Bordeaux have signed a contract extension yet to be announced. The details of the deal are, however, expected to be announced at a press-conference at 6.30pm today.

Cavenaghi was born on the 21st September 1983 in Buenos Aires but holds an Italian passport meaning he won’t take up one of the 3 non-EU places in the team. His former clubs include River Plate, Spartak Moscow and Bordeaux. The Argentine has won 3 championships with River Plate (2002, 2003 and 2004) and with Bordeaux has won two League Cups (2007 and 2009), two Super Cups (2007 and 2009) and Ligue 1 (2009). With the national side, Cavenaghi has won the South American Under-20 Championship 2003 and World Youth Championship 2003.

He has scored 123 goals in 271 games, providing an average of 0.49 goals per game. This is Serra Ferrer’s attempt at delivering his promise of providing Laudrup with a goalscorer. And Cavenaghi won’t feel completely new, having played with goalkeeper German Lux during his time with the Argentina youth set up.