Al-Ittihad swoop for Ponte Preta’s Renato

Campinas side, Ponte Preta, have parted with one of their best players after midfielder Renato has been lured to Saudi Arabia.

Ponte have not revealed the exact price Al-Ittihad have paid for the 24-year-old but the figure is believed to be around the US$3.6 million mark. Renato had an excellent Campeonato Paulista in 2008 and was always expected to leave the Moisés Lucarelli last year. São Paulo, amongst others, were said to be interested but a move never came for the free-kick specialist. Renato joined Ponte from Juventude in January 2008.

Full name: Renato Adriano Jacó Morais

Date of birth: 15/9/1984

Position: midfield

Height; 1.73

Weight: 70kg

Clubs: Mogi Mirim, Ferroviária de Araraquara, Juventude, Ponte Preta