Barcelona completes signing of Sevilla right back Aleix Vidal

Barcelona have officially unveiled Aleix Vidal after the player passed a medical to complete his signing from Sevilla. However, the 25-year-old wing-back is unable to feature for the Catalan club until January 2016 due to a Fifa-imposed transfer ban.

Barça unsuccessfully appealed against their two-window transfer ban, set after the club breached rules on signing international players under the age of 18, late last year. Under its terms, they cannot complete player registrations and field new signings until January.

Vidal, born in the Catalonian municipality of Valls, signs for a reported £16m from the club he helped to a successful Europa League title defence and a fifth-placed La Liga finish, just two points behind Atlético Madrid in third. He scored four league goals in 22 starts last season.

Announcing the signing on their website, Barça said: “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.”

Vidal said: “After the birth of my daughter this is the most important day of my life. I’m back at what used to be my home.”

He played one season at under-14s level for Barcelona B alongside Jordi Alba, who currently plays on the left-hand side for the club. “When I realised it was going to happen, I didn’t think it would be a problem being out until January,” Vidal added. “Positives come with that – I can concentrate on getting ready for where I’m going to play.”

The signing of Vidal comes as speculation continues over Dani Alves’s future. Alves, a target for Manchester United, is a free agent but speaking at the club’s end-of-season parade on Sunday, he said: “I’ve been happy here and I am happy here. And if the day is not yet here that I am to leave then I’ll be happy because I am one of you.”

On the subject of potential competition with the 32-year-old, Vidal said: “One of the keys to playing in a team like this is you’re going to have lots of competition for places. If Dani stays, then it’s wonderful, but it’s not for me to comment. It would be great for him to stay here.”  

Credit: Stuart Goodwin/Guardian Sport