Barca recruitment drive continues

Premier League / Editor / 30 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

Barcelona have completed their third signing of the week after finally landing Lyon and France defender Eric Abidal for 15 million euros, having had a number of previous bids rejected.

The 27-year-old has now been unveiled after passing a medical and he joins compatriot Thierry Henry and Ivory Coast international Yaya Toure at the Nou Camp.

After landing three league titles with Lyon, Abidal is obviously delighted to seal a move to Barca and told the club's official website: "I am very happy. There are many things for me to discover here.

"It is certain that my career objective was to sign for Barca because they are a great club.

"That is the objective of many players - to be able to come and play in this team."

Whether Abidal's capture seals the end of Frank Rijkaard's spending plans this summer remains to be seen. The club has been linked with moves for Frank Lampard and Christian Chivu as they look to wrestle the title back from fierce rivals Real Madrid next season.

Barca's recent recruitment drive has seen them the subject of support from Betfair customers and they are now the 1.91 favourites to regain the La Liga title, having been matched previously at 2.04 to small stakes.

Real, who have sacked coach Fabio Capello and have only signed defender Christoph Metzelder so far this summer, are next best at 2.76 in the developing market, with Valencia on offer at 15 and Sevilla at 16.