Kashiwa Reysol have acquired the services of Brazilian manager Marco Aurelio Moreira and midfielder Ricardinho from Cruzeiro, officials of the struggling J. League first-division side announced Sunday.
Moreira, 50, joins the Chiba club on a contract that runs through New Year's Day, the final day of the Japanese soccer season, replacing Englishman Steve Perryman who was sacked earlier this month after a string of poor results in the J. League first stage.
Moreira has coached a number of Brazilian teams including Palmeiras and Ponte Preta during an eight-year managerial career. He will attempt to put an end to Kashiwa's eight-match losing streak, the worst in the club's history, when he takes charge for their second-stage opener away at Consadole Sapporo on Aug. 31.
The 26-year-old Ricardinho, capped six times for Brazil, also signed a contract through Jan. 1, 2003.
Alex on the move
SHIMIZU, Shizuoka Pref. (Kyodo) Japan midfielder Alessandro Santos will depart for England on Monday to enter a final round of negotiations with English Premier League side Charlton Athletic, officials of his club Shimizu S-Pulse said Sunday.