Valencia have signed centre-back Victor Ruiz from Napoli on a five-year deal.

Valencia technical secretary Braulio Vazquez believes the acquisition of the 22-year-old Ruiz, who helped Spain win the European Under-21 Championship earlier this summer, will prove to be ''an important step forward'' for Los Che.

He told the Valencia website: ''[Ruiz is] of the highest level in Europe. He has great technique, positional sense and strength. He will help to complement our existing defence and offer something different to our squad.

''He is a player with a big future ahead of him, and will definitely shine in the present.

''We are proud to have him here, and to have reached an agreement for his signature after a difficult negotiation process, because Napoli valued him very highly.

''I think that with Victor on board, we have taken an important step forward.''