Barca snaps up Villa from Valencia
Source: Agencies |
May 20, 2010, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
Barcelona has moved quickly to reinforce its squad snapping up Spain striker David Villa from Valencia for 40 million euros (US$49.66 million) yesterday, three days after winning a second consecutive La Liga title.
After a board meeting at Valencia in the morning, its president Manuel Llorente said it had accepted Barca's offer for the striker who scored 21 league goals last season to finish his fifth consecutive campaign as the club's top scorer.
"We have sold David Villa to Barcelona for 40 million euros," he told a news conference at the Mestalla.
On the international stage, Villa is Spain's second highest scorer with 36 goals from 55 matches, eight short of Raul's record, and he will be spearheading Spain's World Cup campaign in South Africa next month.
Barcelona confirmed the deal in a statement on its Website, saying the 28-year-old would sign a four-year contract with an option for one more year.
The player, who Barcelona said 'guaranteed goals', will travel to Barcelona today and will take a medical before being presented to fans and media on Friday.
At Barcelona he will join a formidable forward line that already includes La Liga's leading marksman Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pedro and Bojan Krkic.
France striker Thierry Henry spent most of last season on the bench and is expected to move on.
Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain said Villa would complement Barcelona's quick-passing possession game.
"Like Lionel (Messi) he's a combination of a center forward or also a right winger who can float to the middle," Begiristain said.
"His profile is that of a player who is skillful at crossfield movement and (he) maneuvers very well in open space since he has great depth."
Valencia has been forced into the sale by the precarious nature of its finances. It is burdened with debts of around 500 million euros (US$620.8 million) and has a half-built new stadium.
After a board meeting at Valencia in the morning, its president Manuel Llorente said it had accepted Barca's offer for the striker who scored 21 league goals last season to finish his fifth consecutive campaign as the club's top scorer.
"We have sold David Villa to Barcelona for 40 million euros," he told a news conference at the Mestalla.
On the international stage, Villa is Spain's second highest scorer with 36 goals from 55 matches, eight short of Raul's record, and he will be spearheading Spain's World Cup campaign in South Africa next month.
Barcelona confirmed the deal in a statement on its Website, saying the 28-year-old would sign a four-year contract with an option for one more year.
The player, who Barcelona said 'guaranteed goals', will travel to Barcelona today and will take a medical before being presented to fans and media on Friday.
At Barcelona he will join a formidable forward line that already includes La Liga's leading marksman Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pedro and Bojan Krkic.
France striker Thierry Henry spent most of last season on the bench and is expected to move on.
Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain said Villa would complement Barcelona's quick-passing possession game.
"Like Lionel (Messi) he's a combination of a center forward or also a right winger who can float to the middle," Begiristain said.
"His profile is that of a player who is skillful at crossfield movement and (he) maneuvers very well in open space since he has great depth."
Valencia has been forced into the sale by the precarious nature of its finances. It is burdened with debts of around 500 million euros (US$620.8 million) and has a half-built new stadium.
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