MANCHESTER City have tied up a loan deal for Shakhtar Donetsk striker Nery Castillo.
Here, MEN Sport’s Mark Garrett profiles the Mexican forward.
City were heavily linked with Castillo before he moved to Shakhtar from Olympiacos during the summer, so he has been on Sven-Goran Eriksson’s radar for a while.
Castillo is eligible to play for three different countries - Mexico, Uruguay and Greece - as he was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico to a Uruguayan father and a Mexican mother.
He is quick and aggressive but his versatility allows him to play in any attacking position where his trickery and ability to beat a defender can be most effective.
Castillo has enjoyed a successful career since leaving his home club Danubio for Olympiacos. He won six league titles and two domestic cups in Greece and gained valuable Champions League experience.
Stint
During his seven-season stint at Olympiacos he scored thirty goals in just over one hundred games but with Rivaldo joining the club, Castillo temporarily found first-team chances limited.
However, last season Castillo regained his place in the side and was rewarded by scoring twelve goals in twenty-five appearances, including three in five games in the Champions League.
In the summer Castillo failed to agree terms on a new contract Olimpiacos and departed to Shakhtar Donetsk for almost £16m.
The move has not worked out as Castillo would have hoped though and he has managed only eight appearances and one goal.
His position at Shakhtar has become more insecure since he fell out with coach Mircea Lucescu. The two clashed last month when the 23-year-old Castillo refused to let the usual penalty taker for Shakhtar take a spot kick before seeing his effort saved by the goalkeeper's legs.
Eriksson will hope the forward can recreate his Copa America form where he scored a fine goal against Brazil – one of five goals in 12 Mexican appearances.
Castillo will have to fight for his place alongside a resurgent Rolando Bianchi, who has scored two goals in his last two games.
Darius Vassell is also showing a return to form, while Valeri Bojinov continues his rehabilitation from a knee ligament injury and should be available some time in January.
Nery Castillo: Profile
December 18, 2007
Comments
Login or Register to comment
five hours to go ! CTID
Is that the best photo they can find of Nery in action?
according to Shakhtar's website there president says there is still a good chance the deal will go through-go get him Sven the lad is quality.
COME ON CITY!!!!!!!!!!!!
It looks like he's afraid of the ball.
I notice that Georgios doesn't warrant a mention as one of the four strikers in the new year... I've always given him the benefit of the doubt, but reckon he's finally blown it and should go in January, probably to one of the clubs in the bottom half of the PL, who'll be looking to 'strengthen' in the 2nd half of the season... Good luck to him!
Castillo looks absolute class and I hope we can get a deal which gives us the option to buy as I reckon he and Rolando will make an awesome pairing!
Off to the game tonight with memories of another quarter-final v Spurs at Maine Road in mind when wwe were all far too confident and extremely upset at the end... Looking for redemption tonight... Please!
CTID
3 hours to go
2 hours 23 mins to go
Castillo's ours! Even payed most of the loan fee himself. Sam can be the official tour guide to him and his Greek wife. He must have enjoyed the Trotters game, let's hope he is a lucky mascot for us tonight.
C'mon City 3-1, Bianchi(1st), Vass and Elano.
CTID
Castillo has contributed to make the deal happen.
Now that is hunger!
Players paying to play for City, whatever next!
Can't stop smiling.
Come on you Blues!!
Nery Castillo, wow, the guy 'pays a substant ive part of the loan amount himself'. Welcome to City Nery Castillo
Welcome to City, El Diablo.
Well I just watched the Spurs game and we were truly
truly awful, I challenge anyone to pick the positives out of that one. We barely had a shot in the first half, never put Robinson under pressure, and as for passing??? Possession is nothing if you dont move past the centre circle.
Petrov; not in it pulls out of 60/40 tackles in his favour. Bianchi; his first touch was dire. Garrido; Another Chelsea performance.
Too laid back all round did they think it was the first leg?? Not a Cup tie performance at all no desire,
Could go on but need to leave for work (Knackered been up since 3.30am)
CTID
Great news a player who could be world class.Now can we please get rid of Vassell ,Samaras and Mpenza.These 3 are worse than usless.