Soccer-Zenit sign Brazilian winger Malcom from Barcelona

Zenit St Petersburg has signed Brazilian winger Malcom from Spanish champions Barcelona for an initial fee of 40 million euros ($44.39 million), the two clubs announced on Friday. The 22-year-old, who joined the Catalans last season from French club Girondins Bordeaux, made 24 appearances for Ernesto Valverde's side last season, scoring four times in all competitions.

"Barcelona and Zenit St Petersburg have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Malcolm. The Russian team will pay Barcelona 40 million euros plus 5 million euros in variables," the La Liga club said in a statement. "Barcelona retains an interest in case of a future sale of the Brazilian."

Zenit is currently unbeaten and sits top of the Russian Premier League standings with three wins from three games. ($1 = 0.9011 euros)

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