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Mendieta eyes Champions League crown

Gaizka Mendieta has joined FC Barcelona on loan and targeted European glory.

Gaizka Mendieta has said his "most important objective" is to win the UEFA Champions League with FC Barcelona after twice being on the losing side in a final while captaining Valencia CF.

Initially on loan
The Spanish international midfield player arrived at Barcelona's El Prat airport today ahead of his unveiling as a Barça player. He will join the club on a one-season loan, with a view to a permanent move, after failing to settle in Rome following his €40m transfer to S.S. Lazio from Valencia last summer.

Valencia fulcrum
Mendieta, regarded as one of Europe's most accomplished midfield players before his move to Lazio, was the fulcrum of the Valencia side beaten in successive Champions League finals by fellow Spaniards Real Madrid CF and the German side FC Bayern München.

Final disappointment
After twice tasting disappointment the 28-year-old Mendieta is determined to land club football's greatest prize with the Azulgrana. "The truth is that the Champions League is an aim I have had since I played for Valencia in the finals against Madrid and Bayern. Now I want to try and win it for Barcelona," Mendieta said. "It is the most important objective there is and we all want to try and win it."

Pre-season tour
Mendieta, capped 35 times by Spain and an impressive performer at EURO 2000™, made it clear that he has no intention of returning to the Olimpico stadium and is instead determined to impress on Barcelona's pre-season tour to Nyon, Switzerland, which begins tomorrow.

'Get off on the right foot'
"I am very happy because I am a Barcelona player after a bad season and because everything has been worked out very quickly," Mendieta said. "It is very important to be with the squad from the start so that I am able to get off on the right foot. I hope to get time on the pitch, be consistent and to play for Barcelona for many years. I am not thinking about returning [to Lazio]."