Barcelona capture Portugal’s Gomes from Valencia

Thursday, 28 July 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Untitled-4 .Andre Gomes

REUTERS: Barcelona have completed the signing of Portugal midfielder Andre Gomes from Valencia on a five-year contract, the Spanish champions said on Wednesday.

Neither club released any financial details but Marca reported that Gomes cost 50 million Euros (£ 42 million).

Barca had reached agreement with Valencia last week to acquire the 22-year-old, who was in the Portugal squad at Euro 2016 where the country won their first major title.

He came off the bench in Portugal’s 2-0 semi-final win over Wales but did not appear in the final against hosts France.

Barcelona’s website (www.fcbarcelona.com) shows a picture of a smiling Gomes shaking hands with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu and the message: “Welcome Andre to FC Barcelona.”

Attacking midfielder Gomes had been linked to Barca’s arch-rivals Real Madrid and Manchester United after an impressive two seasons at Valencia who he joined from Benfica.

Gomes, who started 27 Liga games for Valencia in the 2015-16 campaign, becomes Barca’s fourth close-season signing after the arrival of Samuel Umtiti, Denis Suarez and Lucas Digne.