ZENIT ST PETERSBURG SIGN HULK AND WITSEL FOR $101M

Russian club Zenit St Petersburg have splashed out a reported $101m to sign Brazilian striker Hulk,( real name Givanildo Vieira de Souza) and Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel from Portuguese clubs Porto and Benfica.

The 26-year-old Hulk, who played for Brazil during the 2012 Olympics, joined Zenit on a five-year contract in a transfer deal worth $50.7m, while the 23-year-old Witsel signed for a similar fee and length of contract.

Both players have been signed in time to play for Zenit in the Champions League, with the Russian club drawn in the same group as Malaga, AC Milan and Anderlecht.