Villarreal take Marchena from Valencia
Monday, August 2, 2010
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Spanish international defender Carlos Marchena has called time on his successful nine-year stint at Valencia CF in order to sign a three-season deal with Liga rivals Villarreal CF.
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Villarreal CF have signed Spanish international defender Carlos Machena from near neighbours Valencia CF in a transfer worth a reported €2.5m.
Marchena, who can play at centre-half or as defensive midfielder, swaps the Mestalla for El Madrigal after passing a medical with his new club. He will have a three-year contract. The move brings an end to Marchena's nine-season stay with Valencia, where he played 230 Liga games and won five major trophies.
After lifting a first Spanish championship in 2002, he was part of the Valencia team that landed a treble of Liga, UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup in 2004. He also claimed a Copa del Rey winners' medal in 2008. The 31-year-old, a member of Spain's triumphant FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO 2008 squads, had started his career with Sevilla FC before spending a solitary campaign at SL Benfica in 2000/01.
