Reyes ready for Arsenal
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Article summary
Arsenal FC have agreed to sign Spain forward José Antonio Reyes from Sevilla FC for a reported fee of around €35m.
Article body
Sevilla FC have confirmed that they are selling their Spanish international forward José Antonio Reyes to Arsenal FC.
Record fee
The reported €35m fee would smash Arsenal's transfer record, set when they paid €21m to FC Girondins de Bordeaux for Sylvain Wiltord in 2000. Born in Seville in 1983, Reyes first played for his hometown club in the 1999/00 season before bursting on to the Primera División scene in 2001/02, when he scored eight goals in 29 games.
Buy-out clause
He enjoyed more success that summer, playing five times as Spain won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, and last July committed his future to Sevilla, signing a seven-year contract in a deal which included a €100m buy-out clause. The left-footed 20-year-old has been ever-present this season, scoring five times to take his tally to 22 in 86 top-flight matches.
Mixed emotions
"I'm the happiest man and the saddest man in the world at the same time," said Reyes, who will wear the No9 shirt at Highbury. "I'm leaving the best team in Spain to join the best team in England." Reyes made his Spain debut in a friendly against Portugal in September and subsequently scored twice in three UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifiers.
Champions League
He has signed a contract until June 2008 and will be eligible to play in Arsenal's UEFA Champions League fixture against RC Celta de Vigo.
