Metalist make move for Villagra
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
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Argentinian international full-back Cristian Villagra has joined UEFA Europa League play-off entrants FC Metalist Kharkiv from CA River Plate on the eve of the new Ukrainian season.
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UEFA Europa League play-off entrants FC Metalist Kharkiv have signed Argentinian international Cristian Villagra from CA River Plate less than a week before the start of the Ukrainian Premier League.
The 24-year-old full-back has agreed a contract running until 2014 with last season's third-placed finishers. Capped twice by Argentina, most recently in May, Villagra helped River Plate to the 2008 Clausura title a year after joining from CA Rosario Central. He made 93 league appearances for the Buenos Aires club, bringing his career tally to 123.
Villagra said: "Before talking to my compatriots Walter Aníbal Acevedo and Jonatan Maidana, who played for Kharkiv, I knew nothing about Metalist. But I'm glad to be here. I feel more comfortable on the right wing but I used to play on the left at River Plate. I'm equally good with both feet so it's not a problem for me to switch flanks."
He will aim to be ready to make his debut when Metalist begin their 2010/11 campaign at SC Tavriya Simferopol on Saturday. Their UEFA Europa League play-off is on 19 and 26 August, with the draw taking place 13 days before the first leg.
