Barcelona to tie up Neymar deal

FC Barcelona have reached an agreement with FC Santos for Brazilian international attacker Neymar who will pen a five-year deal with the Liga champions.

The announcement brings an end to the long-running speculation surrounding the future of the 21-year-old who has scored 20 goals in 32 senior international appearances for Brazil. On announcing his agreement with the Blaugrana, Neymar said, "I would like to thank the fans of Santos for the nine incredible years I have spent here." The 2011 Copa Libertadores winner added that he was "happy" to be starting a "new challenge," in Spain.

A native of São Paulo, Neymar – voted the 2011 and 2012 South American Footballer of the Year – was on the losing side when Santos were denied glory by Barcelona at the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup final.  He joined the youth ranks of the club in 2003 before going on to win three Brazilian championships and a Brazilian Cup. His arrival at the Camp Nou denotes Barça's first signing ahead of the 2013/14 campaign.