Giuly bound for Barcelona
Monday, June 28, 2004
Article summary
FC Barcelona have signed Ludovic Giuly from AS Monaco FC after the midfield player passed a medical.
Article body
Barcelona have signed AS Monaco FC midfield player Ludovic Giuly after the French international passed a medical on Monday.
Muscle tear
Giuly, who has scored once in ten matches for France, was forced to withdraw from Jacques Santini's squad for UEFA EURO 2004™ after tearing an abdominal muscle in the UEFA Champions League final against FC Porto, but Barcelona doctors said the injury was now completely healed.
Trophy targets
"My objective is to win titles with Barcelona," Giuly said at a press conference at Camp Nou. "I'm very happy to be here and hope that the coach and the fans will be pleased with my performances. Barcelona are one of the biggest clubs in Europe and I think I can fit in well. I can't wait for things to get started and to join my new team-mates."
Driving force
Giuely was the driving force behind Monaco's success last season as Didier Deschamps' side unexpectedly reached the final of the Champions League. The 27-year-old scored 13 times in Ligue 1 and added four more goals in Europe.
Champions League return
Barcelona finished second in the Primera División behind champions Valencia CF last season to earn a place in the group stage of next season's Champions League. Giuly becomes Frank Rijkaard's second signing of the summer, after Brazilian defender Juliano Belletti, although several more arrivals are expected.
