Villarreal sign Chilean starlet
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Article summary
Villarreal CF have unveiled Chilean striker Matías Fernández as their first signing of the winter break, joining from CD Colo Colo for a fee of €8.7m.
Article body
Villarreal CF have unveiled Chilean international striker Matías Fernández as their first signing of the winter break, joining the Spanish Primera División club from CD Colo Colo for a fee of €8.7m.
Big talent
The 20-year-old, who was born in Argentina, is thought of as one of South America's brightest young talents and has already been capped five times by Chile, scoring twice. He arrives in Spain with an impressive record of 33 goals in 63 games for Colo Colo, scoring nine times in the Chilean side's run to the final of the Copa Sudamericana this year.
Nihat replacement
Officially becoming a Villarreal player on 1 January, Fernández joins as a direct replacement for Turkish forward Nihat Kahveci, who suffered a cruciate ligament knee injury in November ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
Proud moment
After being greeted by around 3,500 Villarreal fans, Fernández told a press conference: "I am delighted to be here and didn't expect a reception like this. It is a proud moment for me as I always dreamed of playing in a league like this and now it is going to happen."
