Sevilla move for Almería winger Vidal

UEFA Europa League winners Sevilla FC continue to take shape ahead of their 2014/15 title defence with UD Almería winger Aleix Vidal the latest to arrive at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán for a reported €3m fee.

After announcing the departure of captain Ivan Rakitić to FC Barcelona and midfielder Denis Suárez's subsequent loan move from the Catalan giants, the Nervionenses have brought in the 24-year-old Vidal on a five-year deal. Comfortable playing on either flank, the former RCD Espanyol youth-teamer – who scored 15 goals in 116 league appearances for Almería over the past three campaigns – said he was looking forward to the challenges that await with his new side.

"At Almería we preserved our top-flight status and it seems Sevilla have valued my work, for which I'm grateful," he said. "Every player would want to play for a club [like Sevilla]. I am a player who has a lot of room for improvement but I am young and always look to do my best. My strongest quality could be my speed," the one-time Panthrakikos FC loanee added.

Sevilla coach Unai Emery – who recently penned a new two-year contract – will lead the Rojiblancos in the UEFA Europa League group stage next season. Prior to that, last term's fifth-place Liga finishers face Real Madrid CF in the UEFA Super Cup in Cardiff on 12 August.