Kluivert makes Valencia move
Friday, June 3, 2005
Article summary
Valencia CF have agreed to sign Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert on a free transfer from Newcastle United FC.
Article body
Disappointing campaign
The 28-year-old striker will join the Primera División club on a three-year contract with an option for a fourth season. Kluivert will travel to Valencia for a medical next Thursday when he will complete his signing, the Spanish club revealed on Friday. Kluivert scored six times in just 15 league starts for Newcastle during a disappointing campaign at St James' Park. He also scored five times in five UEFA Cup appearances.
Champions League winner
Kluivert joined Newcastle last July from FC Barcelona where he scored 90 goals over six seasons. Kluivert began his career with AFC Ajax, and scored the winning goal for the Amsterdam side in the 1995 UEFA Champions League final in his debut season. He joined AC Milan in 1997 before signing for Barcelona the following year. Kluivert has scored 40 goals in 79 internationals for the Netherlands, but has fallen out of favour with coach Marco van Basten.
Valencia rebuilding
Valencia finished seventh in the Primera División after a below-par campaign and have had to settle for a place in the UEFA Intertoto Cup next season. Their rebuilding programme is well under way, having already announced this week that Getafe CF coach Quique Sánchez Flores will take over from 1 July while Brazilian international midfielder Edu will join on a five-year deal from Arsenal FC.
