Dutruel quits Barça for Alavés

Deportivo Alavés have signed French goalkeeper Richard Dutruel from FC Barcelona on a three-year contract.

Gripping final
The 29-year-old Dutruel had two seasons to run on his contract at the Camp Nou but decided to move on after losing his place in the first team. He joins a club again seeking UEFA Cup success after losing the 2001 competition 5-4 in extra time to Liverpool FC in one of the most gripping European finals ever.

Out of the picture
Dutruel made his professional debut for Paris Saint-Germain FC in his homeland in 1991 before moving to SM Caen two seasons later. He left France for Spain, RC Celta de Vigo the destination, in 1996 prior to a switch to Barcelona in the summer of 2000. However, he did not feature last season and was close to joining Stade Rennais FC before Alavés expressed an interest.