Mavuba makes Villarreal move

FC Girondins de Bordeaux midfielder Rio Antonio Mavuba has become the latest recruit at Villarreal CF after agreeing a reported €8m switch.

European entry
The 23-year-old French international, who has been capped six times, will team up with compatriots Robert Pirès and Pascal Cygan at the Spanish side who had a storming end to the 2006/07 campaign. A run of eight wins in as many matches helped them to a fifth-place finish and entry into the 2007/08 UEFA Cup. Bordeaux, the club Mavuba joined aged seven and where he made his Ligue 1 debut in 2003/04, will also play in the competition having won the French League Cup.

Big names
Mavuba has been given a five-year contract at El Madrigal, where he will not be the only new face. Goalkeeper Diego López, defensive duo Roberto Ayala and Joan Capdevila, and midfielder Santi Cazorla have also arrived although Uruguay striker Diego Forlán has left for Club Atlético de Madrid. Bordeaux, meanwhile, are rebuilding under recently appointed coach Laurent Blanc, with Mavuba joining right-winger Julien Faubert on his way out while Mathieu Chalmé has been acquired from LOSC Lille Métropole.