Barça bolster back line with Milito

FC Barcelona have announced the arrival of Argentina international defender Gabriel Milito, who will join on a four-year contract from Real Zaragoza for a reported €20.5m fee.

Fourth new face
The 26-year-old, who has won 24 international caps and helped Argentina reach the semi-finals of the Copa América where they play Mexico tonight, becomes the fourth new signing for Frank Rijkaard's team this summer, following Thierry Henry, Yaya Touré and Eric Abidal. Milito will have a medical with his new club once he returns to Spain from Venezuela.

Madrid scuppered
Milito can play in central defence or at left-back and began his career with CA Independiente Avellaneda in his homeland in 1997, making 123 league appearances for the club. He seemed set for a move to Real Madrid CF in 2003 only to fail a medical at the Santiago Bernabéu after a knee injury and sign instead for Zaragoza, for whom he went on to score five times in 139 Primera División matches and help the club earn a place in the 2007/08 UEFA Cup first round. He was also part of the side that defeated both Barcelona and, in the final, Madrid to win the 2004 Copa del Rey.