Chelsea recruit Barcelona midfielder Oriol
Thursday, August 4, 2011
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Spanish midfielder Oriol Romeu, 19, has become Chelsea FC's second signing of the summer, joining on a four-year contract from FC Barcelona in a transfer reported to be worth €5m.
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Chelsea FC have signed Spanish Under-20 international midfielder Oriol Romeu from FC Barcelona.
Oriol, 19, has agreed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea agreed terms with Barcelona for his transfer, reported to be worth €5m. He becomes the club's second acquisition of the summer, after KRC Genk goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois who will spend the season on loan at Club Atlético de Madrid. Oriol will link up with the Blues once Spain's FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign in Colombia has concluded.
Oriol made his Liga debut for Barcelona as a late substitute in a goalless draw against RC Deportivo La Coruña in May, having also played 90 minutes of a 3-1 loss at Sevilla FC in the Spanish Super Cup first leg last August. Having joined Barcelona's academy from neighbours RCD Espanyol in 2004, Oriol was a regular in the club's B team for the past two seasons and was part of the Spain side that reached the final of the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.
The Spanish champions, meanwhile, have released Argentinian international Gabriel Milito after the defender's contract expired. Milito, 30, made nearly 50 league appearances in four seasons at the Catalan club and was a member of last season's title-winning squad.
