Pelé ( the nickname for Pedro Miguel Cardoso Monteiro) joined Southampton from Portuguese side Belenenses at the start of the 2006/7 season. West Ham and Portsmouth had previously shown an interest but having tried to sign him in the January 2006 transfer window Burley was determined to get his man. When he eventually arrived on the south coast on July 19th 2006 he became an instant hit. He made his debut in the pre-season friendly at Cheltenham in July 2006 and became a regular in Burley’s first XI from the start of the season, making his league debut at Derby – sadly squandering the fans chance to sing “We’ve still got Pele on the bench!” A composed central defender who can also do a job at left-back he passes the ball well from defence and also has the strength and determination required for the English game.
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