One day after completing the club's second treble following their Champions League Final victory, Barcelona announced the acquisition of Aleix Vidal who was signed despite the transfer ban FIFA imposed to the club.
The former Sevilla midfielder would not be playing for Blaugrana until January 2016 after FIFA handed Barcelona a transfer ban after they broke the rules signing international players below 18 years old last year, The Guardian reported.
The Guardian also reported that the 25-year-old Catalonia-native was signed for £16 million.
"FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC have struck a deal to bring Aleix Vidal to the Camp Nou, with the 25-year-old signing a five-year contract that will keep him at the club until June 2020," Barcelona announced on their website according to The Guardian.
Vidal called his Barcelona signing the most special day of his life along with the birth of his daughter.
"Apart from the day my daughter was born, this is the most special day of my life. I went through a lot to get here and I'm living a dream," Vidal told reporters at Camp Nuo Monday according to ESPN.
He also wants Barca to be his last stop as he stated according to ESPN, "At the end of the day, each player has to move around to progress. This has happened to me and I hope this will be my last team."
Vidal also spoke positively about the restriction preventing him to play for Barcelona until January.
"This will give me time to improve on areas of my game. For me the important thing is being here and being able to grow. The sanction is a hindrance but I will be able to feature in preseason friendlies," he stated according to ESPN.
Vidal's signing endangers Dani Alves' stay in Camp Nuo but the former Sevilla midfielder believes Alves will be good competition.
"Competition is key to improve. If [Alves] stays I'd be delighted, it would be healthy competition for a position," Vidal said according to ESPN.
Vidal had 31 appearances for Sevilla in La Liga last season scoring four goals in 22 starts as a right-back and right winger, ESPN reported.
