Neymar unveiled by Barcelona after signing five-year deal
The Brazilian striker has put the finishing touches to his move
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Neymar has put the finishing touches to his switch to Barcelona by signing a five-year contract at the Nou Camp this evening, the Spanish club have confirmed.
The 21-year-old Brazil striker flew to Barcelona this morning to finalise his departure from Santos, nine days after a preliminary agreement between the clubs was made public and just hours after he played in a 2-2 friendly draw with England at the Maracana Stadium.
In a journey charted in detail by the Catalan giants' official website, Neymar was greeted at Barcelona airport - having arrived slightly behind schedule - before being taken to the club's offices to pose for photographs in the Blaugrana shirt and to undergo a medical.
The forward passed "exhaustive tests" before committing his future to the club until June 2018 in the presence of president Sandro Rosell, vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta. The transfer fee remained undisclosed.
Neymar was later paraded on the Nou Camp pitch in front of thousands of Barca fans and hundreds journalists, who were scheduled to meet the player at an evening press conference.
The signing of Neymar further boosts the Primera Division champions' attacking riches and the prospect of him linking up with four-time reigning world player of the year Lionel Messi is a mouthwatering one.
It remains to be seen just how Barca coach Tito Vilanova will utilise the two forwards in the same side, but midfielder Andres Iniesta is confident the South American duo will have no problems playing alongside each other.
"The great players always understand one another. Leo will make Neymar better and vice-versa. It's a team game and the sum of all helps the club win," said the Spain international, who believes Neymar has made the right decision in choosing Barca.
"He's coming to the best place that he could go to. One of the best young players is coming and that's what we all wants," Iniesta added.
"He will contribute a lot, he's a player with outstanding talent and quality. He can unsettle opponents, score goals and give spectacular performances at a club which is ideal to continue growing.
"It's great news that we can count on him. Surrounded by the people that he's going to have here, he will get better all the time."
PA
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