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ESPNsoccernet: Transfers | |
Jordi Alba has completed his €14 million move from Valencia to Barcelona, signing a five-year contract at the Camp Nou.
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Spanish full-back Alba had agreed the move in principle a week prior to La Roja's victory in the final of Euro 2012 but passed a medical, completed the necessary paperwork and was presented to the media on Thursday.
The 23-year-old is Barca's first signing of the summer as they build towards next season under new coach Tito Vilanova, who has replaced Pep Guardiola.
Alba, whose contract with Valencia was due to expire in June 2013 and had a €90 million buy-out clause, is no stranger to Barcelona, having spent seven years at their La Masia youth academy from 1998 to 2005.
At the Mestalla, Alba was part of the Valencia reserve side that was promoted to Segunda B before spending the 2008-09 season on loan at Gimnastic Tarragona.
On returning to Valencia he soon became a regular in coach Unai Emery's first team, making 74 league appearances in three seasons, scoring five goals.
That earned him international recognition, with his debut coming against Scotland last October. He has won 11 caps to date and was an ever-present in Spain's Euro 2012 winning side, scoring his side's second goal in the final against Italy.