Ayala accepts Villarreal challenge
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Article summary
Roberto Ayala has secured his long-term future ahead of captaining Argentina against France in Paris tonight after agreeing to join Villarreal CF in the summer.
Article body
Villarreal CF have secured the services of Roberto Ayala when defender leaves Valencia CF on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Three-year deal
The 33-year-old, who will captain Argentina against France in a Paris friendly this evening, will climb aboard the Yellow Submarine in the summer having signed a three-year contract with the Castellón club. Ayala has made 174 league appearances in seven seasons with Valencia, and most notably won the league title twice and the 2003/04 UEFA Cup in that spell. Prior to moving to Spanish football, he played for SSC Napoli and AC Milan in Serie A after leaving CA River Plate in his homeland in 1995.
Busy time
Meanwhile, Villarreal are close to snapping up Chilean forward Matías Vidangossy from CD Unión Española. The 19-year-old will be the latest South American starlet at El Madrigal after central defender Martín Cáceres signed last week for the next four seasons from Uruguayan club Defensor SC. Villarreal, currently in mid-table but only six points off sixth place, also acquired Denmark striker Jon Dahl Tomasson on loan for the rest of the current campaign from VfB Stuttgart last month.
