Villa commits to Valencia

27th August 2008

Valencia striker David Villa has ended speculation over his future by signing a new long-term contract with the Primera Liga club.

The 26-year-old, who has been strongly linked with a move to Spanish champions Real Madrid and was also believed to have interested clubs in the Barclays Premier League, put pen to paper on a six-year deal on Wednesday.

The sought-after forward was widely tipped to make a big-money move after winning the golden boot at Euro 2008, but Valencia president Vicente Soriano said: "We announce today that David Villa and Valencia will remain together for many years to come."

"The best striker in Europe is staying at Valencia," he added.

Villa caught the eye at the European Championship, scoring a hat-trick in Spain's opening-game victory over Russia as well as the winner against Sweden to finish as the competition's leading scorer.

He said on Wednesday: "It is a very happy day for me. In the last month and a half lots of things have happened around me that I have not experienced before.

"I want to thank Valencia for this gesture. I am very grateful to this club for what they have given me and I hope to continue to give good performances."

Villa's new contract follows soon after team-mate David Silva put pen to paper on an improved five-year deal with Valencia, and fulfils the club's ambition of keeping the two highly-rated Spain internationals at the Mestalla.