/ 26 July 1999

Benni signs for Celta

OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Monday 9.00am.

BAFANA Bafana striker Benni McCarthy has signed with UEFA Cup hopefuls Celta Vigo who have continued their rebuilding for the new season by signing him and another international striker,Ivan Kaviedes.

South African McCarthy, 21, moves for a fee of 1000-million pesetas ($6.31-million) from Ajax Amsterdam. This is the most ever paid for a South African player.

”He’s quick, inventive and is great on the ball,” said Celta coach Victor Fernandez as he announced the signing.

Kaviedes, who scored twice for Ecuador in the recent Copa America tournament, moves to Spain after a spell with Perugia in Italy.

Both men will compete for the space in the side which is expected to be left by the retirement of Lubo Penev.

The veteran Bulgarian striker has been elected president of his former club CSKA Sofia and is set to quit Celta.

Fernandez, who guided his side to fifth in the table last season, has now brought in nine new faces for the 1999-2000 campaign. — Reuters