Sports

Barcelona capture Portugal's Gomes from Valencia

Barcelona capture Portugal's Gomes from Valencia

By REUTERS

Football Soccer - Euro 2016 - Portugal News Conference - Centre National de Rugby, Marcoussis, France - 4/7/16 - Portugal's Andre Gomes during the news conference. REUTERS/John Sibley

MADRID: 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.