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Roig: Altidore Signing Is Like Gasol For The Lakers
Fernando Roig, the president of Villarreal, confirmed that both Jozy Altidore and Robert Flores will join the club next season.
Jun 7, 2008 2:09:30 AM
Roig is delighted with the signing of 18-year-old Altidore in particular, and he compared the American striker with Spanish basketball player Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Flores ,22, has helped Uruguayan minnows River Plate reach the final of the Clausura Championship, where they will meet Penarol in the decider on Sunday.
Villarreal, who finished in second place of La Liga last season, are expected to reinforce their squad with lots of quality in the off-season as they prepare to make an impact in the UEFA Champions League, a competition in which they reached the semi-final stage in the 2005/06 season.
"Both players are our first signings, and they enter into our new project that focuses on future prospects for the team," Roig said.
The Villarreal president praised Altidore, a player who joined Villarreal from Red Bull New York of MLS for a record fee of $US10 million.
"He is a great signing," Roig said. "Similar to that of Gasol who joined the Los Angeles Lakers. If any other team had signed him it would have been much more spectacular. But he is ours."
In respect to Uruguayan midfielder Flores, he said: "He is a player who has proved his undisputed quality in the league where he plays at."
According to reports both youngsters are likely to be loaned out to other La Liga clubs, with the aim of gaining some valuable experience before returning to El Madrigal.
Gregory Sica
Flores ,22, has helped Uruguayan minnows River Plate reach the final of the Clausura Championship, where they will meet Penarol in the decider on Sunday.
Villarreal, who finished in second place of La Liga last season, are expected to reinforce their squad with lots of quality in the off-season as they prepare to make an impact in the UEFA Champions League, a competition in which they reached the semi-final stage in the 2005/06 season.
"Both players are our first signings, and they enter into our new project that focuses on future prospects for the team," Roig said.
The Villarreal president praised Altidore, a player who joined Villarreal from Red Bull New York of MLS for a record fee of $US10 million.
"He is a great signing," Roig said. "Similar to that of Gasol who joined the Los Angeles Lakers. If any other team had signed him it would have been much more spectacular. But he is ours."
In respect to Uruguayan midfielder Flores, he said: "He is a player who has proved his undisputed quality in the league where he plays at."
According to reports both youngsters are likely to be loaned out to other La Liga clubs, with the aim of gaining some valuable experience before returning to El Madrigal.
Gregory Sica
Inside Goal.Com
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