Afellay joins FC Barcelona

Catalan giants FC Barcelona have one of the best squads in European club football but as per the assessment of their own coach Pep Guardiola they are a little short on bench strength and that was corrected on christmas eve with the signing of Dutch international midfielder Ibrahim Afellay. And it was a real bargain then Afellay was signed for only 3 Million Euros from PSV Eindhoven, the reason being that his contract would have ended in the summer.

The 24 year old Dutch international of Moroccan origin has come through the youth system at Eindhoven and has been an international for over three years being part of the 2008 European Championship and 2010 FIFA World Cup squads. And now he has signed a four and a half year contract until 2015 and a fixed transfer fee of 100 Million Euros have been incorporated into his contract with Eindhoven set to get a fee on any premature transfer.

FC Barcelona official unveiled him to the media yesterday and Afellay surprisingly speaking in reasonable Spanish said, "I am very happy to join the best club in the world. I will wear this shirt with pride and respect."

And he added, "There are great players here but I am going to show what I am capable of. It is an honour for me to be here."

Over the last few month's Afellay had been linked with a number of clubs. In the summer it looked like he would sign for German Bundesliga side Hamburger SV, but thereafter the usual European giants from England, Spain, Germany and Italy showed interest. In the end Afellay signed for Barca then, "Since I was a boy I wanted to play for Barca. For me it is a dream to be here!"

In Spain fans and media alike think it is a wise signing as Afellay has the necessary standard to play for the Catalan giants. And Afellay could debut at the Camp Nou against Levante in the Primera Division on January 2.