Magpies sign Cacapa - TalkSoccer

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 02-08-2007, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Newcastle United are in talks to sign former Lyon captain Claudio Cacapa.

The Brazilian defender left the French champions at the end of last season after refusing to sign a new contract.

He has been holding discussions with The Magpies over the past few days and Sam Allardyce hopes to complete a deal for the centre-half.

"He is a top player and we will be delighted if we can pull this off as we regard him as a big capture," the Newcastle boss told the Evening Chronicle.

"Our fans should not be put off by the fact they may not have heard of Cacapa because he has certainly been heard of in Brazil and France.

Terrific capture

"He has been captain of Lyon for the past five years and for every one of those five years they won the French title, so obviously he has a lot of Champions League experience.

"That's why we are hoping that everything goes okay with his medical and that we can agree a deal with his people because we believe he would be a terrific capture for us.

"Unfortunately, he has been back in Brazil and he has had no pre-season work, and in normal circumstances we would not consider him for our opening game at Bolton Wanderers a week on Saturday, but it all depends on what type of injuries we have."

Allardyce has been desperate to strengthen his defence over the summer, having only added David Rozehnal to his back-line to date.

Newcastle are also in talks to sign Alan Smith after agreeing a deal with Manchester United for the striker.

Source: Skysports

**Trim** · 02-08-2007, 01:18 PM

He's a decent CB.

**Sven** · 02-08-2007, 01:26 PM

He was good enough for a league that means nothing.

Newcastle can do better.

**unitedfan** · 02-08-2007, 10:35 PM

I doubt it. His CV is far better than any of the CBs who've been at Newcastle in the last 5 years, he's a better defender than anything they have there and captained Lyon for 5 years, not to mention you'd pick him up for free. Ligue 1 and it's mentality ain't great, but that doesn't instantly belittle the players in it, especially when they're amongst the best in it.

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 03-08-2007, 12:35 PM

He can't be worse than the defenders they already have.

**kennethlindheim** · 03-08-2007, 12:41 PM

He's a legend at Lyon. When he left Lyon he got a fantastic farewell, they really loved him so he can't be bad.

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 03-08-2007, 12:47 PM

This will be a good move for him and Newcastle.

**kennethlindheim** · 03-08-2007, 12:50 PM

So this is the potential back four for next season:

Geremi/Carr-Rozenhal-Capaca/Taylor-Drago/Baines

If we could achive that, we could be happy with the summer dealings.

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 03-08-2007, 12:52 PM

Your defense will look so more better.

**Pennywise** · 03-08-2007, 03:15 PM

Ligue 1 ain't that bad. A bit underrated IMO !

However, Cacapa had been good to get. He is much better than Bramble, Ramage and all the shit that played in the defence last season.

He is not a dream signing then, but decent I guess.

Why did he only play three matches for Brazil? A nation that have had problems in the defence the last seven years. And he has been in Lyonnais for seven years, but "only" 125 matches? And why didn't he signed an new contract with Lyon (if he wanted away or were ready for a new club, why has all this stuff taken so much time? He has still no club to go to.

**kennethlindheim** · 03-08-2007, 07:55 PM

Quote:

NEWCASTLE UNITED have followed up the signing of Alan Smith from Manchester United by concluding a deal for Brazilian defender Claudio Cacapa.

Cacapa has signed a two-year deal at St James' Park, with the option of staying for a third, after completing a medical and agreeing terms with the club.

The former Lyon defender, who was captain of the French champions during five glorious title winning years, will wear the number six shirt.

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Cacapa, 31, will add much-needed experience to Sam Allardyce's defensive ranks and is likely to make his first appearance along with Smith against Sampdoria on Sunday.

Earlier in the day Smith was paraded in front of the media after signing a five-year deal.

Cacapa Confirms Magpies Move (from The Northern Echo)

**Trim** · 04-08-2007, 11:34 AM

*Applause*

**Sven** · 04-08-2007, 11:37 AM

If you got Drago the serb defender in Spain, I be amazed, he's a good player.

**unitedfan** · 04-08-2007, 11:42 AM

Cacapa, Rozehnal, Drago, Taylor as CB options looks likely for the start of the season. It's a hell of a lot better than anything you've had before. It's actually very good, and with depth building up all around you're team, minus a trademark Newcastle injury crisis, you should do well.

**kennethlindheim** · 04-08-2007, 11:48 AM

Well by the looks of it our plea's for defensive re-inforcements look to have been met finally. With Rozehnal coming in and looking excellent, the signing of Cacapa who by all accounts is also top draw and the likely signing of Ivica Dragutinovic and Enrique, we finally have a defence which are dependable.

Get rid of Carr and sign a replacement and the defence should be ready for the new season.