Leeds United’s new Championship rivals sign Brazilian international striker on one-year deal
Now 26 years old, former £22m Aston Villa acquisition Wesley Moraes has ended four years at Villa Park by leaving the club to sign for Stoke City on a contract until next summer.
Villa purchased Wesley from Club Brugge for a reported fee of around £22m in July 2019 and the striker made his debut for Brazil five months later when coming on as a late substitute against Argentina for what remains his sole cap for the Selecao.
The striker scored five Premier League goals in 21 appearances for Villa between October 2019 and January 2020 but suffered a severe cruciate knee ligament injury during January’s clash against Burnley. The injury ultimately kept Wesley out for 480 days and the striker was then loaned back out to Brugge following his return. Another loan spell at Brazilian side Internacional followed before a season-long loan at Levante before returning to Villa Park this summer.
Wesley said to stokecityfc.com: “I had a very positive six months in the Premier League with Aston Villa before my injury and I now see this move to Stoke City as a great opportunity for me to show my best football in England.
“Last season, I played a lot for Levante in Spain, which was great for me to get back to 100 per cent so I am now ready to go here at Stoke City. I spoke to my representatives about the fresh project here at Stoke and we collectively decided this is the best place for me to join.”
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Leeds sign Junior Firpo in £13m deal from Barcelona
Leeds United have completed the £13 million ($18m) signing of Junior Firpo from Barcelona, with the defender signing a four-year contract at Elland Road.
The highly-rated left-back joins the Premier League outfit in the wake of Ezgjan Alioski’s departure, with the Whites moving quickly to fill a hole in their back four.
Firpo has spent the last two seasons at Camp Nou, with 41 appearances taken in for the Liga giants.
What has been said?
Leeds have said in a statement released on their official website: “The Whites have beaten off competition from a number of clubs to secure the services of the 24-year-old, who joins from Spanish outfit FC Barcelona for an undisclosed fee.
“Following a period of quarantine and completion of his medical, the full-back signed a four-year deal at Elland Road, running until the summer of 2025.
“Born in the Dominican Republic, Firpo moved to Spain at a young age and made his breakthrough at Real Betis.
“Making his first La Liga start in February 2018 in Betis’ 1-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna, the full-back went on to become a first-team regular at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
“Catching the eye during the 2018-19 campaign, with five assists and three goals in his 29 appearances for Betis, Firpo was called into the Spain Under-21 squad and helped them win the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
“Following the tournament, in August 2019, he was snapped up by Barcelona, signing a five-year deal at the Nou Camp.
“Over the past two seasons, he turned out 41 times for Barcelona, helping them win the Copa Del Rey.
“Firpo becomes Leeds’ third signing of the summer transfer window and will wear the number three shirt during his time at Elland Road.”
What did Barca have to say?
The Catalan heavyweights have revealed that a 20 per cent sell-on clause has been included in the deal that has taken Firpo to England, while also confirming the fee involved.
Goal had revealed last week that an agreement was on the cards for the promising defender.
Barca are in the process of moving fringe players out as they seek to free up space in their salary cap.
A number of exits are being mooted at Camp Nou that will allow new signings Memphis Depay, Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia to be registered, while also tying talismanic captain Lionel Messi to a new contract.
