Capdevila opts for pastures new with Benfica
Thursday, July 21, 2011
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Third qualifying round entrants SL Benfica have sealed the signing of Spain left-back Joan Capdevila for an undisclosed fee, bringing to a close his three-year spell with Villarreal CF.
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Joan Capdevila has left Villarreal CF for fellow UEFA Champions League hopefuls SL Benfica on a two-year deal.
The left-back has joined last season's Portuguese Liga runners-up for an undisclosed fee, bringing to an end a four-season stay at Villarreal, where he made 140 Liga appearances and scored 14 goals. Capped 60 times by Spain, Capdevila is the second defender to commit to the Eagles in the last week following Ezequiel Garay's transfer from Real Madrid CF.
A member of the Spain squad that triumphed at UEFA EURO 2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the 33-year-old started his career with RCD Espanyol before a short spell at Club Atlético de Madrid. From there, he moved to RC Deportivo La Coruña, winning the Copa del Rey in a seven-year stint in Galicia.
Capdevila links up with a squad preparing to face Trabzonspor AŞ in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, the first leg of which takes place on Wednesday. Villarreal begin their campaign in the play-offs.
