Salzburg seal da Silva signing

Published Jul. 10, 2010 2:41 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Dutchman has signed a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee and will ply his trade outside his home country for the first time in his career, linking up with compatriot Huub Stevens, who is in charge of Salzburg. Primarily a defensive midfielder, the tough-tackling Holland international is also comfortable anywhere across the backline but was overlooked for Bert van Marwijk's World Cup squad. Having previously turned out for Sparta Rotterdam, Ajax and NAC Breda, the 27-year-old moves to the Austrian champions hoping to remain playing UEFA Champions League football. Mendes da Silva scored the equalising goal for AZ in stoppage time in a Champions League group game against Arsenal last season.