That seems rather quick for such a high fee. I'd have to think that will make more transfers difficult this year and next (esp. getting another midfielder). We really wanted to get this one over the line.

I still have mixed feelings about this deal. Great player, no doubt, but this does feel like a win-now move with a lot of backfire potential, rather than the steady, shrewd, long-term squad building that has produced great results the past couple of years. Maybe we are at that level now where this is what it takes to continue moving forward, but I guess I just really enjoyed this past season and don't want to be hurt again by misplaced hope and expectation. :P