Twelve year ago today Mohamed Fayed made his biggest ever signing - football legend Pele. please log in to view this image ”The Brazilian World Cup hero has agreed to become the most famous scout in football, with a brief to unearth new Brazilian talent for Fulham manager Jean Tigana. Pele will also help the Cottagers forge links with his club, Santos. The former striker was at Fayed's Harrods store yesterday to promote his autobiography, which will be released in Europe later this year. But he was also there to discuss his new role with Fulham. Unlike the disastrous appointment of Franco Baresi as director of football, there is no question of Pele taking a permanent job at the club and no chance of him becoming manager. But his arrival will add to the optimism around their temporary Loftus Road home, which has seen Fulham reach the second round of the UEFA Cup and rise to fifth in the Premiership. Fayed beamed: "Pele is the greatest player of all time - a true legend. "So who better to have scouting for us in Brazil!” Pele reckons it is time English clubs signed more Brazilians. He said: "Brazilians are playing all over the world, especially in Holland, Spain and Italy. But in England there are so few. I hope one day we will have skilful Brazilian players playing for Fulham and to do that we must plan ahead. I think that can happen because my club Santos produces a lot of good young players." "Maybe we can find some for Fulham.”
And, of course, this link produced many great Brazilian talents for Fulham. Such as... er... um... No. Can't think of any.
And to be honest there haven't been that many great Brazilian talents for any UK club, really. They don't seem to flourish here - apart from that little fellow who played for 'Boro who is probably the exception that proves the rule.
I heard a rumour that Pele recommended Bairdhino a few years back? Was he the only , ahum, Brazilian we ever signed?
