Barcelona announce the signing of Neymar from Santos

Posted on May 26, 2013 by SoccerPunter

Brazilian forward Neymar has agreed to join Barcelona on a five-years contract.

After months of speculation, Neymar prefers Barcelona to Real Madrid. He will be leaving Santos in Brazil Serie A to play in Spain Primera Division next season.

At the age of 21, Neymar has been the preferred striker for Santos for the past four years, scoring 156 goals and providing 77 assists in 256 matches.

He has also earned a recall to Brazil national team for next month Confederation Cup.

Barcelona will be favourites to retain Spain La Liga honours and win Champions League next season with the acquisition of Neymar whom will work closely with FIFA World Player of the Year, Lionel Messi.In 2011, he guided them to their first Copa Libertadores triumph since the days when Pele represented the club in the 1960s, and has already established himself at international level, scoring 20 times in 32 appearances with Brazil.

“It’s a different moment for me, sad (bidding farewell) and happy (new challenges),” he wrote.

Neymar plays his last game for Santos on Sunday against rivals Flamengo, at the opening of this year’s Brazilian football season.

“I want the chance to enter the field one more time… and hear the fans cry out my name,” he wrote.