La Liga: Valencia sign Joao Pereira

ALL content used in this not-for-profit blog remain the property of their respective owners.
http://ht.ly/1k2A1Q

Valencia have confirmed the signing of Sporting Lisbon right back Joao Pereira for a fee of €3.7 million.

The defender featured against Manchester City in the Europa League and demonstrated a quick burst of pace and an ability to feature as a right winger as well. He is in the mold of Valencia's attacking fullback Jordi Alba and should provide a potent threat down the right flank to compliment Sofiane Feghouli.

With Valencia struggling to keep hold of Alba, who is a reported target of Barcelona and Manchester United, it is a positive sign that they have been able to add to their defence instead of see it come apart in the summer break.

Pereira will get to feature in the Champions League in the coming season and he will also be in action in the summer's EURO 2012 tournament. He is a mainstay in the Portugal squad which has been drawn in Group B alongside Germany, Denmark and Netherlands.