Barcelona and Valencia agree deal for Alba
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Article summary
Spanish international Jordi Alba began his career at FC Barcelona and will return to the club following a five-year spell at Valencia CF, who have agreed to sell the left-back for €14m.
Article top media content
Article body
FC Barcelona have agreed to pay Valencia CF €14m to re-sign Spanish international full-back Jordi Alba.
The 23-year-old defender – who has played every minute of Spain's five games at UEFA EURO 2012 as the defending champions reached Sunday's final in Kyiv – has agreed terms on a five-year contract at the Camp Nou and will sign next week subject to passing a medical.
Alba spent the early part of his career with Barcelona's youth set-up but was released as a 16-year-old. He was picked up by Valencia and, following a loan spell at Club Gimnàstic de Tarragona in 2008/09, went on to score five goals in 74 Liga games for the club.
Having worked his way up through Spain's age-group teams, representing the national side at Under-19, U20 and U21 level, Alba made his senior debut at home to Scotland last October and now has ten caps to his name.