Riquelme takes Villarreal option
Thursday, August 28, 2003
Article summary
FC Barcelona's Argentinian midfielder Juan Román Riquelme has joined Villarreal CF on loan.
Article body
New start
The 25-year-old struggled to impress at Camp Nou following his transfer from CA Boca Juniors last summer and will hope the switch will reinvigorate his career. As part of the deal, Barcelona will have the option of extending the loan into a second year.
No room
Riquelme started 22 games last term and scored six goals, but new Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has chosen to fill his non-EU places with Javier Saviola and summer signings Rüstu Recber, Rafael Márquez and Ronaldinho.
Old boys
Riquelme reportedly had the chance of joining Spanish Cup winners RCD Mallorca or newly promoted Real Murcia CF, but instead chose to link up with former Boca team-mates Rodolfo Martín Arruabarrena and Fabrizio Coloccini at Villarreal.
