Arizmendi to join Valencia attack

Valencia CF have signed Ángel Javier Arizmendi less than a month after he left RC Deportivo La Coruña to return to his first side Club Atletico de Madrid.

High hopes
The 23-year-old forward has agreed a six-year contract at Mestalla, and will hope to help them reach the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League via August's third qualifying round. "I'm extremely happy and thankful to take this important step in my career," he said. "I'm very enthusiastic and ambitious and I want to grow as a player and help the club grow too. It was an easy decision to make because Valencia have a great squad. It will be very demanding but I will try to find a place in the team and progress." Arizmendi, a former Under-21 star who made his Spain debut in February's 1-0 friendly win in England, made 50 league appearances for Deportivo, scoring seven goals, after joining them in December 2005. The deal follows Valencia's agreement with midfielders David Silva and Rubén Baraja on long-term contracts until 2013 and 2010 respectively.