Porto sign River Plate’s Falcao

The Radamel Falcao transfer saga has come to an end, with Portuguese Liga Champions FC Porto signing the Columbian striker from River Plate.

The Dragons paid 3.9m euros for 60% ownership of the River Plate striker, and has put pen to paper on a contract until June 2013, according to a statement the club sent to the Lisbon Stock Exchange.

However, the deal will be formalized in the coming days pending the mandatory medical tests.

Falcao had to endure a turbulent month, with first thoughts being that the forward was destined for Benfica, before FC Porto began to show an interest, and earlier this week it appeared Spanish club Zaragoza would make a late swoop for the player.

But the 23-year-old striker is relieved now, as his future is decided, although he admitted it was a wrench leaving the Argentine capital. “It’s difficult to think what I’m leaving behind. I cannot put into words what River means to me, I’ll take the club in my heart.”

Falcao, who scored 45 goals in 110 games for River Plate, now wants to transpose that goalscoring form across the Atlantic.

“I have always dreamed of playing in the Champions League,” he added.