Atlético Madrid have completed the signing of Spain international striker David Villa from Barcelona in a surprise cut-price €5.1 million deal.
The arrival of Neymar meant Villa's days at the Camp Nou were numbered and the hitman was keen to play regular football ahead of next year's World Cup.
Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur had been linked with a move for Villa, who struggled to hold down a regular first team place at the Catalan giants last season.
However, Barcelona have confirmed through their official website that Atlético have agreed a deal to sign the 31-year-old forward.
Having signed for Barça in a €40 million deal from Valencia in 2010, Villa will cost Atlético just €5.1 million.
"Barcelona and Atlético Madrid have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of the player David Villa to the Madrid club," read a Barcelona statement.
"The transfer total will reach a maximum of €5.1 million spread out with over €2.1 million this season, two million more if the player remains at Atlético in 2014/15 and another million if he extends his contract until 2015/16.
"Additionally, Barcelona retain the rights to 50 percent of any future transfer of the player."
Villa will now fill the void left by Colombian striker Radamel Falcao, who left the club for AS Monaco in May.
"We have wanted David Villa since he went to Valencia, we are very pleased with his signing," Atlético president Enrique Cerezo told RNE Radiogaceta.
"We are pleased because many Spanish and foreign teams wanted Villa. I believe that the fans are going crazy because they thought he was going to go to a major English team. The price that he cost us is much less.
"Falcao will be missed, because it is not easy to match a player of his quality, but we think that Villa can replace him very well.
"Villa has many football seasons left. He is a natural goalscorer. Everyone hopes for him because he is an important member of the Spanish national team. We hope he will score many goals."
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| David Villa played 119 times and scored 48 goals in three seasons with Barcelona Photo: Getty Images |
The arrival of Neymar meant Villa's days at the Camp Nou were numbered and the hitman was keen to play regular football ahead of next year's World Cup.
Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur had been linked with a move for Villa, who struggled to hold down a regular first team place at the Catalan giants last season.
However, Barcelona have confirmed through their official website that Atlético have agreed a deal to sign the 31-year-old forward.
Having signed for Barça in a €40 million deal from Valencia in 2010, Villa will cost Atlético just €5.1 million.
"Barcelona and Atlético Madrid have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of the player David Villa to the Madrid club," read a Barcelona statement.
"The transfer total will reach a maximum of €5.1 million spread out with over €2.1 million this season, two million more if the player remains at Atlético in 2014/15 and another million if he extends his contract until 2015/16.
"Additionally, Barcelona retain the rights to 50 percent of any future transfer of the player."
Villa will now fill the void left by Colombian striker Radamel Falcao, who left the club for AS Monaco in May.
"We have wanted David Villa since he went to Valencia, we are very pleased with his signing," Atlético president Enrique Cerezo told RNE Radiogaceta.
"We are pleased because many Spanish and foreign teams wanted Villa. I believe that the fans are going crazy because they thought he was going to go to a major English team. The price that he cost us is much less.
"Falcao will be missed, because it is not easy to match a player of his quality, but we think that Villa can replace him very well.
"Villa has many football seasons left. He is a natural goalscorer. Everyone hopes for him because he is an important member of the Spanish national team. We hope he will score many goals."
