by Ryan D. Jaeger
Now that this season's La Liga has come to an end, and
FC Barcelona proved triumphant for the second straight year in Spain's premier professional football division, things couldn't be much better for the La Liga champions.
And the reason is David Villa, one of Spain's most talented strikers who left his former club Valencia - who he was with for five years - to sign a 4-year deal with the
2009-10 La Liga champions in a deal reportedly worth €40 million.
Barcelona fans were thrilled at the news of the signing and 35,000 of them even descended on the club's famous football ground, Nou Camp, to watch Villa being officially 'unveiled' and presented as Barcelona's latest acquisition.
According to reports, it was not Villa's decision to leave Valencia, but Valencia management's decision as a result of the club being cash-strapped. And with Villa its most valuable player, it was only a matter of time before he was sold.
And despite the circumstances of his sale, Villa is very upbeat about his move to the La Liga champs. 'One of the reasons that helped me make my decision to go to Barca ... was the friendship I have with many of the players,' he said.
But before Villa starts the next La Liga season with his new club, he'll play with many of his Barcelona teammates in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, including Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Pedro
and others.
Continued Villa, 'I know I won't have any problems because many of them have already helped me to become a Barcelona player. I am proud that Barcelona have signed me as I have always been clear about where I wanted to go.'