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Villarreal strengthen goalkeeper options

UEFA Europa League hopefuls Villarreal CF have signed Xavi Oliva from second-tier CD Castellón to provide backup for No1 Diego López, the 33-year-old committing to El Madrigal until summer 2011.

First-choice Villarreal goalkeeper Diego López
First-choice Villarreal goalkeeper Diego López ©Getty Images

UEFA Europa League hopefuls Villarreal CF have signed Xavi Oliva from second-tier CD Castellón to provide backup for No1 Diego López, the 33-year-old committing to El Madrigal until summer 2011.

European task
Oliva made 196 league appearances during a seven-year stay at Castellón and his arrival at Villarreal will provide competition for first choice custodian Diego López. Yellow Submarine coach Ernesto Valverde's first task at the helm of his new team will be to negotiate a two-legged UEFA Europa League play-off in August.