UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - New MLS club New York City FC signs Spain's leading scorer David Villa on a three-year deal
Record ID:
190080
UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - New MLS club New York City FC signs Spain's leading scorer David Villa on a three-year deal
- Title: UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - New MLS club New York City FC signs Spain's leading scorer David Villa on a three-year deal
- Date: 3rd June 2014
- Summary: MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JUNE 2, 2014) (NYCFC.COM - MUST COURTESY) VARIOUS OF DAVID VILLA SIGNING CONTRACT AT THE OFFICES OF MANCHESTER CITY (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) DAVID VILLA SAYING: "Above all it was the quality and the capacity of the project and the desire they have to improve in MLS which is really growing in importance. More than anything, the interest they have shown in me to be a figurehead of this project. I'm happy and really looking forward to helping the City Group grow even bigger with the team in New York. So, let's hope it goes well. I want to try and help MLS continue to grow, through playing, working hard, scoring goals and at the same time try to make New York City FC become the best team in the league." VARIOUS OF VILLA POSING FOR PHOTOS (INTERCUT WITH PREVIOUS SOUNDBITE) VILLA SIGNING SHIRTS FOR NYC FC (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) DAVID VILLA SAYING: "It's a real honour that the people who have formed the club have focused their attention on me. I'm keen to do the best I can, take on board that extra responsibility and prove my worth by repaying the confidence they have shown in me." MORE OF VILLA SIGNING CONTRACT
- Embargoed: 18th June 2014 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: United Kingdom
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: General,Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA6OAEX1089944NCK41Z3ANTDS3
- Story Text: Spanish World Cup striker David Villa joined New York City FC on a three-year deal, the Major League Soccer team said on Monday (June 2).
Villa, who helped Atletico Madrid win last season's Spanish league title, will join the new club which will play in the MLS in 2015.
The deal is arguably the biggest signing made by an MLS team since David Beckham joined L.A. Galaxy with the 32-year-old Villa a current world champion and with the Spanish squad as they defend their title at Brazil 2014.
Villa is the first player signed by NYCFC, who are jointly owned by English Premier League champions Manchester City and baseball's New York Yankees.
Villa was part of the hugely successful Barcelona team under Pep Guardiola and he will wear the number seven shirt he graced at the Nou Camp.
"I want to try and help MLS continue to grow, through playing, working hard, scoring goals and at the same time try to make New York City FC become the best team in the league.
"It's a real honour that the people who have formed the club have focused their attention on me. I'm keen to do the best I can, take on board that extra responsibility and prove my worth by repaying the confidence they have shown in me," he added.
Villa joins another former Barcelona player in the New York area - former France international Thierry Henry plays for the New York Red Bulls, who are based in Harrison, New Jersey.
But while Henry's career in Europe was already waning by the team he moved to MLS, Villa moves to the States still close to his prime.
Villa emerged in La Liga with Sporting Gijon before moving to Real Zaragoza and then Valencia, where he made his name with 32 goals in 73 appearances.
The forward moved to Barcelona in May of 2010 for a reported fee of 40 million euros and he won two Spanish league titles and the Champions League in 2010-11.
He joined Atletico last season and helped the team to the league title and the final of the Champions League where they lost to Real Madrid.
The new club has yet to secure their own stadium and will play their first season at Yankee Stadium. - Copyright Holder: POOL (CAN SELL)
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