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| Barça officially announce Cillessen signing |
FC Barcelona have signed The Netherlands goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen on a 5-year contract from Eredivisie club Ajax, successfully snapping a replacement for goalkeeper Claudio Bravo who is on his way to joining Manchester City in a couple of hours.
It was reported by various media outlets that goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen has been guaranteed the number one spot for major games at Barça for this season over Claudio Bravo and the Chilean is not satisfied with the decision, hence wants to continue his already-successful career elsewhere in search of more minutes. Pep Guardiola is a huge fan of his and his Manchester City side have agreed a deal to sign the player for 25 million Euros.
Barça got an immediate replacement for Bravo in Jasper Cillessen. At first it was believed that Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves was the man for the job but the technical department of the club led by the two top coaching staffs Luis Enrique and Juan Carlos Unzue decided to go for Cillessen whom they see as more fitting to the club style, younger and cheaper. Other options also mentioned in the past were Areola of Villarreal and Spaniard Pepe Reina of Napoli.
Cillessen was signed for a fee believed of €13 million plus another €2 million in variables, he passed his medical successfully and privately penned a contract for the next five seasons, meaning he will be tied to the Camp Nou until the summer of 2021. Cillessen was slapped with a release clause of €60 million by the club and will be officially presented on Friday (tomorrow).
Still only 27, Cillessen is yet to reach his peak as a goalkeeper. The player has over 100 league appearances for Ajax since joining in 2011 and has been the number one goalkeeper for his national team. Barça see him as a perfect replacement for Claudio Bravo and backup for Marc Andre Ter Stegen as he is a very good shot-stopper and is almost perfect with both feet of his.