Mina presented as FC Barcelona s newest footballer

Barcelona Jan 13 (IANS) Colombian defender Yerry Mina on Saturday was presented as the newest footballer for FC Barcelona after signing a five-and-a-half-year contract with the Catalan club.

Mina was presented in front of over 8 500 fans mostly Colombians after Barçelona announced on Thursday that they had reached an agreement with the Brazilian club Palmeiras to sign the defender for 11.8 million euros ($14 million) reports Efe.

"Yerry Mina is a player with great talent who will make the fans very happy over the coming years " FC Barçelona s president Josep Maria Bartomeu said after signing the contracts.

The 23-year-old Mina said he was delighted to join the La Liga leaders and he was aiming to achieve big things.

"I have come to learn a lot and win big trophies " Mina said.

Mina joined Barcelona amid reports that Javier Mascherano of Argentina may leave for the Chinese Super League.

Mina is Barcelona s second deal of the winter transfer window after the team signed Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho who joined the Catalan club from Liverpool for a reported fee of around $200 million.

--IANS
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