Pavlin bound for Porto

Pavlin caught the eye against Yugoslavia with a goal

Slovenia may not have earned the points that their performances have deserved so far but midfielder Miran Pavlin has struck it lucky by signing for Portuguese side FC Porto.

According to the Lisbon sports daily O Jogo, a clause in Pavlin's contract with German club SC Freiburg allowed Porto to acquire him after paying just $500,000 compensation.

He is reported to have signed a four-year contract with Porto who, having seen Sporting Lisbon end their five-year monopoly on the Portuguese title, are strengthening for the new season.

Italy's Bologna and Panathinaikos of Greece had also reportedly expressed an interest in Pavlin, on the strength of his Euro 2000 displays.

The 28-year-old midfielder has played a leading role in Slovenia's impressive and eventful spell in the tournament so far, scoring their second goal against Yugoslavia.

Zahovic: knows about life at Porto

Pavlin spent last season on loan to Karlsruhe SC, who finished bottom of the German second division.

A move to Porto would see Pavlin follow in the footsteps of Slovenian team-mate Zlatko Zahovic.

Zahovic had a spell with the Portuguese giants before moving on last season to join Olympiakos of Greece.

For now though both Pavlin and Zahovic are focussing on their final Group game with Norway on Wednesday.

A Slovenian victory and defeat for Spain against Yugoslavia would see the smallest nation ever to qualify for the European finals book a quarter-final spot.

If they do miss out they'll rue letting a three-goal lead slip against 10-man Yugoslavia and conceding a winning goal to Spain just a minute after equalising.