Barcelona buy defender Mathieu for €20 million

Barcelona buy defender Mathieu for €20 million

BARCELONA - Spanish giants Barcelona said Wednesday they have bought 30-year-old French defender Jeremy Mathieu from Valencia for €20 million ($27 million).

Valencia's French defender Jeremy Mathieu celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg against Sevilla at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on May 1, 2014

Barcelona have been seeking to bolster their defence since Carlos Puyol ended his career.

Though he is not an established French international, Mathieu is recognised as a powerful operator at left back and in central defence. Barcelona called him a "physically imposing defender".

The Catalan club had made several offers to Valencia for Mathieu who last week issued a public letter calling on the side to negotiate his release.

"I have a chance to play for the world's biggest club and that's all I want right now," he said.

Barcelona said in a statement it had reached agreement on a transfer and Mathieu would sign a four season contract.

"The cost of the transfer is €20 million and the buyout clause will be €50 million," it said.

Mathieu played at Sochaux and Toulouse in the French first division until he joined Valencia in 2009.

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