FCBARCELONA.CAT

31.07.2007 19:34

The last two signings

Meritxell Infante

Eric Gull and Albert Rocas have been presented as new Barça handball players and will be the final signings before Manolo Cadenas' side begin the new season.

The duo formalised their arrival at the club and were officially introduced to the media and will begin to work with their new team-mates from Thursday.

First Argentinian

For Gull, joining the Blaugrana "has been my dream throughout my life and that of a whole country. One that many children have had". The Argentinian is not the first player from the South American country to play for the club, but he is the first to represent Barça at handball, a sport that does not have a strong tradition in his homeland. "I will fight hard and am very excited," he said. "I will give everything, just as I have done in every team that I have played for."

Returning home

The arrival of Rocas is part of club president Joan Laporta's dream to see the best Catalan players at Barça. With that plan, the handball bosses searched for someone to fit the bill and the Palafrugell player was delighted to be chosen. "To join Barça was not a difficult decision," he said. "Everyone is proud to join, but being Catalan I am even more so. This is one of the most important moments in my life." Rocas has played for Valladolid and Portland, but Barcelona will his first professionall team that he has played for in Catalunya, having risen through the ranks at Granollers.

Sporting values

Laporta was excited by their arrival as he said: "We now have a very competitive team. We want a side that wins and transmits sporting values and I think we have a team now that shows both these aspects."