One Less Brazilian

By: Abby | July 8th, 2008

So long, Mineiro. Good luck in your future endeavors.

The 32-year-old Brazilian finally rejected Hertha’s offer of a new contract, and he’s off. It’s not the most surprising- he’s not young and he didn’t play huge amounts last season. While it’s always neat having a Brazilian international on the squad, it’s not nearly as earth-shattering as, well, Marko Pantelic leaving. Or Arne Freidrich, for that matter- Stuttgart still want our captain.

It does mean that the need for a new midfielder is particularly pressing. Currently, we’re allegedly interested in Carlos Villanueva (Chile) of Audax Italiano (also in Chile), Thiago Neves (Brazilian and apparently expensive, but a rumor that won’t quite go away) of Fluminese (also Brazilian), and Ibson (Brazil), who belongs to FC Porto but has been on loan back in Brazil at Flamengo. I’ve heard good things about Ibson, although that he had to go back to Brazil from Porto worries me somewhat.

All of those options are a bit of a gamble, as signing players from South America is. Berlin isn’t Brazil and it definitely takes some adjusting. An Andre Lima is more likely than a Lucio. (Speaking of Lucio- he’s in training, looking lively and long-haired.) But I’m an optimist, and with Lulu actually going and checking out players, I think we’ll find someone good.

Speaking of good, the new away kit has been released and looks great, in my opinion. The design is interesting, the color scheme lovely, and all in all I’m pleased. The new home jerseys have grown on me (although I’m glad I got last season’s before they went away), but if I’m to get another one, it’ll probably be this one.