Boro get Alves clearance
Middlesbrough's record signing Afonso Alves gets work permit
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Tuesday, 05, Feb 2008 06:41
Middlesbrough's record signing Afonso Alves has been granted a work permit after the paperwork was cleared by UK officials.
The Brazilian striker, who reportedly cost £12 million, could now make his Boro debut on Sunday against Fulham after missing his team's 1-1 draw with Newcastle United last weekend.
"Afonso Alves was granted a visa this afternoon and is due to arrive on Teesside tomorrow," a statement on the club's official website said.
The 27-year-old, who played in Sweden before making his name in the Eredivisie, is currently embroiled in a dispute between his former club Heerenveen and AZ Alkmaar.
AZ say the former Malmo forward had signed a pre-contact agreement with them, a case they are taking to Fifa despite the Dutch football authorities saying they have no grounds for such a claim.
Boro boss Gareth Southgate has already ruled out the prospect of Alves being banned as a result of the tug-of-war.
"The only thing that can happen is there could be compensation between Heerenveen and Alkmaar," he said last week.
"The player has got international clearance and is registered to the Premier League so there's no way that a ban can happen."
Boro, who lie in 13th place in the Premier League table, are currently without strikers Tuncay Sanli and Mido, who are both injured.