FCBARCELONA.CAT

19.07.2007 14:23

“I hope to be at the standard demanded by Barça”

Roger Bogunyà

Gaby Milito was officially unveiled as a Barça player on Thursday and told reporters: “I hope to be at the standard demanded by Barça”. He also described the move as, “a dream come true”.

Gaby Milito is excited by the challenge of joining Barça and looking forward to adding to his collection of winner’s medals. At today’s press conference he stressed that he is well aware of the responsibility of playing with FC Barcelona: “I hope to be at the standard demanded by Barça...and pay back the confidence people have in me”.

First choice

Milito also revealed that Barça had been his first choice club if he had to move from Zaragoza: “I always wanted to play here. People close to me knew very well what my priority was and luckily Barça showed an interest and I didn’t hesitate for a moment”.

Praise for Puyol

Milito also made a special mention of one of his new team-mates, fellow defender Carles Puyol. He told reporters that it was an “honour” to play in the same team as the Barça captain and that he was sure that he would learn a great deal from him.

Madrid, part of the past

Four years ago, a possible move to Real Madrid fell through but Milito denied that he harbours any ill feeling or that signing for Barça was in any way connected: “I didn’t take the decision because of that situation. I took it because of what Barça means. That’s part of the past and now I’m enjoying myself here”.

”A great opportunity”

FC Barcelona director of football Txiki Begiristain explained that FC Barcelona had been after a left-sided central defender for some time, so signing Milito had been “a great opportunity”. He described the player as, “an aggressive player, a good central defender and a good header of the ball” but above all he praised his “personality both on and off the pitch”.

Players like Milito

Joan Laporta spoke along similar lines: “Barça needs players with character and technical quality [like Milito]. He also stated that the Board demands, “Work, responsibility, hope, pride and humility”.