doggy dogg
06-29-2004, 06:11 PM
MADRID, June 28 (Reuters) - Barcelona new recruit Ludovic Giuly, who joined the club on Monday, has his sights set on helping the Catalan club end their five-year trophy drought.
'My objective is to win titles with Barcelona,' the French midfielder told a news conference at the Nou Camp. 'I'm very happy to be here and hope that the coach and the fans will be pleased with my performances.
'Barcelona are one of the biggest clubs in Europe and I think I can fit in well. I can't wait for things to get started and to join up my new team mates.'
Barca said the 27-year-old, who played an instrumental role in guiding Monaco to the final of last season's Champions League, had signed a three-year contract with the club but did not reveal any details of the transfer fee.
Barcelona finished runners-up to Valencia in the Primera Liga last season to ensure qualification for the group phase of the Champions League.
They won their last trophy in 1999 when they were the runaway champions of the Primera Liga.
Giuly was originally named in the France squad for Euro 2004, but was forced to pull out after sustaining a groin injury in the Champions League final defeat by Porto.
Barcelona said medical tests conducted by club doctors showed the player had now recovered from the injury. Knee ligament damage he suffered three years ago was also completely healed.
The Barcelona squad is set to undergo a major facelift ahead of next season.
Midfielder Philip Cocu has already agreed a move to his former club PSV Eindhoven, while fellow Dutch internationals Patrick Kluivert, Michael Reiziger and Marc Overmars are set to leave.
Barca have already signed Brazilian international defender Juliano Belletti from Villarreal and are poised to close a deal to sign Sweden striker Henrik Larsson.
The club have also targeted Portugal playmaker Deco, who has helped his country reach the semi-finals of Euro 2004. Deco said on Monday he would make a decision about his future following the tournament.
'My objective is to win titles with Barcelona,' the French midfielder told a news conference at the Nou Camp. 'I'm very happy to be here and hope that the coach and the fans will be pleased with my performances.
'Barcelona are one of the biggest clubs in Europe and I think I can fit in well. I can't wait for things to get started and to join up my new team mates.'
Barca said the 27-year-old, who played an instrumental role in guiding Monaco to the final of last season's Champions League, had signed a three-year contract with the club but did not reveal any details of the transfer fee.
Barcelona finished runners-up to Valencia in the Primera Liga last season to ensure qualification for the group phase of the Champions League.
They won their last trophy in 1999 when they were the runaway champions of the Primera Liga.
Giuly was originally named in the France squad for Euro 2004, but was forced to pull out after sustaining a groin injury in the Champions League final defeat by Porto.
Barcelona said medical tests conducted by club doctors showed the player had now recovered from the injury. Knee ligament damage he suffered three years ago was also completely healed.
The Barcelona squad is set to undergo a major facelift ahead of next season.
Midfielder Philip Cocu has already agreed a move to his former club PSV Eindhoven, while fellow Dutch internationals Patrick Kluivert, Michael Reiziger and Marc Overmars are set to leave.
Barca have already signed Brazilian international defender Juliano Belletti from Villarreal and are poised to close a deal to sign Sweden striker Henrik Larsson.
The club have also targeted Portugal playmaker Deco, who has helped his country reach the semi-finals of Euro 2004. Deco said on Monday he would make a decision about his future following the tournament.