Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon have broken their transfer record to snap up Elias from Atletico Madrid.
Brazilian midfielder leaves Atletico
Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon have broken their transfer record to snap up Elias from Atletico Madrid.
The Brazilian midfielder has cost Sporting €8.8million (£7.8m).
Elias has penned a five-year contract with his new employers and that deal includes a €40m (£35.5m) release clause.
The 26-year-old joined Atletico from Corinthians in December and settled quickly in Spanish football.
He impressed over the second half of the season, but has been overlooked this term by coach Gregorio Manzano.
He was not assigned one of the three non-EU places at Atletico, forcing him towards the exits.
Elias becomes the 16th signing of a busy summer at Sporting, with the club undertaking a rebuilding programme in an effort close the gap on their rivals.
