Shorts: Leiria | Academica | Naval

N’Gal blasts Leiria for blocking Benfica move

Uniao de Leiria striker Serge N’Gal has come out and blasted the club for not allowing him to make a move to Benfica. The Cameroonian has confessed that the Lisbon outfit were seriously interested in acquiring his services back in January, but Leiria sabotaged the move from happening which has angered the player.

“It’s true. This is what I understood. Benfica were after me and someone from the club said that I was not a good person and passed this information onto Benfica,” claimed N’Gal.

“Benfica, as well as other teams like Deportivo La Coruna, had showed interest in me Clearly, Benfica are a very good option for my future. Any player would be excited and I can also play alongside my friend Binya.”

The powerful forward, whose contract expires at the end of the season, scored three of his four goals in the last two months of the campaign. It is not known if Benfica will be back in for the striker this summer, but there is nothing that will stand in N’Gal’s way this time around.

Academica’s Kaka moves to Hertha Berlin

Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin have signed Academica defender Kaka for 2 million euros. It was believed the Coimbra based club were looking to cash in on the Brazilian as the German outfit were long-time admirers of the towering stopper.

Kaka has flown out to the German capital where he will undergo routine medical exams and put pen to paper on a three-year deal. The player leaves the Portuguese club after arriving in 2006 from Ituiutaba.

Marinho set to join Cluj’s Portuguese contingent

The career of Naval’s Marinho seems to be on the up and up as recently crowned Romanian champions Cluj are very interested in landing the forward. Marinho arrived at the Figueira da Foz club back in January from FC Fatima, but a move abroad may be in the cards for the 24-year-old.

The player’s agent, Patrick Morais, has confirmed that the Romanian club, who already house fellow Portuguese players Semedo, Dani, Tony, Cadu, Claro, Andre Leao, Fredy and Manuel Jose, are serious about increasing their tally of Portuguese players to nine.

“As I have told the club, there is no point in speaking with the player until there is an agreement between the two clubs. He does not even have a buyout clause and because of that, there must be a proposal from Cluj first and I think it will arrive shortly” said Morais.

“As I have seen the numbers presented, it is a very interesting contrast for him. Add to that they are a club that will enter the Champions League.”

As it appears the club may lose their diminutive winger, Naval are also in the process of trying to tie down other members of their squad as they have tendered renewal offers to Delfim, China, Mario Sergio and Taborda.