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Butelle ready for Valencia

Published: Friday 21 May 2004, 16.37CET
French U21 goalkeeper Ludovic Butelle is set to move to Spanish champions Valencia CF from FC Metz.

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Published: Friday 21 May 2004, 16.37CET

Butelle ready for Valencia

French U21 goalkeeper Ludovic Butelle is set to move to Spanish champions Valencia CF from FC Metz.
FC Metz goalkeeper Ludovic Butelle is to complete a move to Spanish champions Valencia CF.

Long-term deal
The French Under-21 international will have a five-year contract with Valencia, who lifted the UEFA Cup on Wednesday after claiming the Primera División title last weekend. The 21-year-old will head to Spain at the end of the campaign to finalise a deal first agreed in February.

Excited by move
Speaking to Metz’s website, Butelle said: "Valencia are a big European club. I thought a lot about this move because it is a turning point in my career. Valencia were looking for a young goalkeeper already comfortable at top-level football."

Goalkeeping riches
Valencia coach Rafael Benítez will hope Butelle will put pressure on first-choice Santiago Cañizares, who has enjoyed another superb season. Both Cañizares, 34, and deputy Andrés Palop have only a year left on their respective contracts.

Last updated: 03/07/04 20.46CET

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