Romanian player pays his own transfer fee

BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romanian midfielder Marian Aliuta has paid his own transfer fee to move from Steaua Bucharest to Rapid Bucharest.


Aliuta, who has played for Steaua for three years, handed $150,000 (82,270 pounds) to the club's owner Gigi Becali to buy out his contract then signed a three-year deal with city rivals Rapid.


Aliuta, whose wage of $135,000 per year was the highest in Romanian soccer, said he would earn $90,000 at his new club.


"It was a good move for me because I believe Rapid will offer me a better chance of showing my true qualities," Aliuta, 26, told Reuters adding that the separation was amicable.