Soccer
Black Players On The Move In International Football Transfer Season
By Andrew Dixon III
Sep 6, 2007

MIAMI -- Soccer's international transfer window has closed and teams all over Europe and in MLS have made moves that they believe will help lead them to footballing glory.

Several Black players were included in these moves.  Here are some of those sought after players that clubs will rely on this upcoming season:

Spain

Thierry Henry makes the move to Barcelona

The transfer of longtime Arsenal stadout Thierry Henry to Barcelona is clearly the biggest transfer of the summer. Henry spent eight years in London and became an international stuperstar. He was voted England's Footballer of the Year three times, led Arsenal to seven tropies and a runner's up finish in the 2006 Champions League.  His transfer to Barcelona gives Barcelona a potentially dynamic strike force with Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi. 

Also joining Henry at Barcelona are compatriots Eric Abidal (Olympique Marselle) a defender with a growing international reputation and midfielder Yaya Toure from AS Moncaco.  Julio Baptista has been recalled to Real Madrid from Arsneal after a year's loan while Rio Antonio Mavuba has joined Villareal from French side Bordeaux.  Brazillian Cleber Santana has signed with Athletico Bilbao from Pele's old club, Santos. Ivory Coast forward Arouna Kone has arrived from PSV in Holland.

France

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Bonaventure Kalou: On the move again

Speaking of France, Lyon will be retooling after losing key componenents to a side that has won the last 5 French titles.  Former captain, Claudio Cacapa moved to England's Newcastle, Florent Malouda has joined Chelsea, Alou Diarra has joined Bordeaux and Sylvan Wiltord took a big pay cut to sign with Stade Rennais FC.  Abdul Kader Keita of the Ivory Coast,however, joins Lyon from Lille. Bonaventure Kalou has left PSG and signed with RC Lens.

Germany

In Germany, midfielder Ze Roberto has rejoined the side after a year away at Santos and a tenure with Brazil's National Team.  Brazillian Grafite has joined VfL Wolfsburg from Le Mans while Ivorian Boubacar Sanogo has transferred to Werder Bremen from Hamburger SV. South African, Steven Pienaar has left Borussia Dortmund and signed with English side Everton.

Ze Roberto: Back at Bayern

England

Defending champions Manchester United have signed a pair of Portuguese players as they reload for another championship run.  Anderson has joined from FC Porto and Nani has signed from Sporting Lisbon. Kieran Richardson has left United to join Sunderland who now have former United striker Andy Cole among their ranks.  In addition to Florent Malouda, Chelsea has acquired Frenchman Lassana Diarra from Arsenal while saying good bye to defender Glen Johnson (Portsmouth) and midfielder Geremi (Newcastle).

Chelsea's new man, Florent Malouda

Aiyegbeni Yakubu has joined Everton from Middlesborough while Pape Bouba Diop has left Fulham for Portsmouth where he will be joined by Ghanian Ali Sulley Muntari (Udinese). Liverpool welcomes highly regarded up and coming Dutch international Ryan Babel from Ajax and Kieron Dyer will try to jump start his career at Newcastle after he recovers from a broken leg. Tottenham welcomes part-time England international Darren Bent from Charlton Athletic.

Italy

David Suazo: A deserved move to the Italian champions

The biggest transfer among Black players in Italy centers around Honduras' David Suazo leaving Cagliari and joining Inter Milan. He'll bring a welath of exeprience back to Honduras' National Team if ever rejoins them. Uruguayan Marcelo Zalayeta has finally left Juventus and has signed with Diego Maradona's former side, Napoli.

Holland
PSV dealt US International DaMarcus Beasley to Glasgow Rangers in Scotland and also said goodbye to Dutch International Patrick Kluivert (Lille OSC).

MLS
Finally MLS clubs have been involved in the transfer market as well with the biggest tranaction being former DC United and R. Salt Lake wunderkind Freddy Adu getting his wish and moving to a Euopean side. He will continue his hoped for ascent to stardom with Portugese side Benfica.

No it's not Mario Van Peebles; it's LA's Abel Xavier

Former Portugese international Abel Xavier, who has been a stellar signing and Carlos Pavon have joined the Galaxy from Middlesborough and CD Olimbia, respectively.  FC Dallas has signed Brazil's one man dribbling exhibition in Denilson. Costa Rican legend Paulo Wanchope has joined the suddenly resurgent Chicago Fire.