Levante sign Braga defensive midfielder Vukcevic

Levante have completed the signing of Nikolas Vukcevic from Primeira Liga's Braga for a fee in the region of 9 million euros.

The fee constitutes excellent financial business for Braga, who signed the defensive midfielder four years ago for just €125,000 from Budućnost.

Nottingham Forest had been linked with the Montenegrin midfielder throughout the summer, considered as one of the additional Jorge Mendes clients that could make the jump into the Championship.

The first indication that Vukcevic was to be leaving came when he was left out of the club's Europa League squad for the third qualifying round against Zorya, suggesting that he was no longer an indispensable member of the side.

His future was further put in doubt when Braga's president announced that they are to be signing Sporting's central midfielder Palhinha on loan, while also stating that Vukcevic was one of two players that will be allowed to leave.

The speed at which a deal for the Montenegrin has been finalised is still a surprise though, and the consistent performer - who has played over 100 games for Braga over four years - was still linked with Nottingham Forest as recently as yesterday.

However, with Levante losing central midfielder Lerma to Bournemouth, the signing of Vukcevic falls into place.