FCBARCELONA.CAT

16.08.2007 21:14

Maxi López set to join FC Moskva

www.fcbarcelona.cat

FC Barcelona have reached an agreement, in principle, with FK Moskva for the transfer of Maxi López to the Russian club, who will pay a total of €2 million for the player.

The Argentinian striker is set to begin a new chapter of his career in the Russian League as he joins Leonid Slutski's side after the Blaugrana and FK Moskva finalised a deal for Maxi, who had a contract at Camp Nou until 2009.

FK Moskva are in the middle of their season and lie third in the table, with 33 points from 20 matches, just behind leaders Spartak (39 points) and Zenit (34 points). Maxi López will team up with compatriot, Maxi Moralez. The 20-year-old has just signed a five-year deal at the club after signing from Racing de Avellanada. He was also voted as the second best player at the recent Under-20 World Championships after scoring four goals.

Started at River Plate

Maxi López came through the ranks at River Plate and represented Argentina at youth level, before being given his first-team debut by his club aged 17. Soon after he became the second youngest player to ever score for River when he netted aged just 17 years, seven months and a day, to surpass Javier Saviola's record.

Barça make their move

In January 2005, Barça beat off competition from other European club to sign him from River and were able to bring him straight over as he already held an EU passport. Maxi's role at the club was to replace Henrik Larsson, who had suffered a serious knee injury earlier that season and in his first few months were marked by a goal against Chelsea in the Champions League that will always be remember at the club. The forward also contributed towards the club winning the league title as he played eight games, despite not scoring. He found earning a place in the side tough as he battled with Ludovic Giuly, Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho for an attacking spot.

During the 2005-06 campaign, Barça won the Champions League and the title and Maxi did not play a major role. Larsoon's recovery and the introduction of Lionel Messi, as well as the arrival of Santi Ezquerro, limited his chances. The following season Maxi was loaned out to Mallorca in order to allow him to play regularly. He appeared 29 times for the Balearic club and scored three goals.