Sevilla snap up Duda

Sevilla have clinched the singing of Portuguese midfielder Duda from Malaga.

The 26-year-old joins on a free transfer having seen out his contract at Malaga who were relegated from the Spanish top-flight last term.

Duda cut a controversial figure at Malaga last term where he was banished from the first-team squad after refusing to sign a contract extension.

He originally moved to Spain in 1999 when he joined Cadiz and a switch to Malaga materialised two years later.

During his time at Malaga he worked under present Sevilla boss Juande Ramos, and Ramos retains a high opinion of the player having tried unsuccessfully to sign him last season also.

Duda, who operates on the left or in the centre of midfield, has signed a four-year at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan.

Another player on his way out of Malaga is Duda's compatriot Litos who has agreed a move back to his native Portugal with Academica de Coimbra.

The 32-year-old central defender was under contract at Malaga until 2008, but negotiated his release and will now sign a two-year deal at Academica.