Football: Barca sign Valencia’s Alba

MADRID: Barcelona struck a deal yesterday to sign Valencia and Spain left-back Jordi Alba for €14 million on a five-year contract, said the Catalan club. “Barcelona Football Club has reached an agreement with Valencia for the transfer of Jordi Alba, pending a medical which he will undergo in Barcelona next week,” said a statement from the club. “The cost of the transfer will be €14 million and the player will sign a contract for the next five seasons.” Alba, 23, is a Catalonia native who trained in Barca’s youth academy and impressed last season in the Spanish league, where Valencia finished third. It was the first new signing for Barcelona since the departure of their multiple trophy-winning coach Pep Guardiola at the end of last season.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29^th, 2012.