Afellay, Happy to be Part of the Barça Family

Speaking to the media after signing this lunchtime, Ibrahim Afellay declared himself: “happy to be part of the family of the best club in the world”. He also present Happy Christmas in Spanish, “I’ll wear the Barça colours with pride and respect. Barça is more than a club, Happy Christmas and Visca Barça!”

Afellay has already spoken to Josep Guardiola and he commented: “it was very positive”, and that he will need time to ”adapt to the team and their style of play”. Guardiola promised him every help to ensure that he settles in” as soon as possible”.

Afellay knows that he’ll have to fight for a place as an attacking midfielder in the team: “that’s normal at a club like this where there are so many quality players, but I’ll fight for my place. I don’t mind where I play –wherever the boss wants me, I’ll do my very best”.

Afellay who told reporters they could call him “Ibi”, explained how he’d felt when he first learnt of Barça’s interest in signing him: “when I was a kid, I wanted to play for Barça – it was a dream. We all know that it is the best place to play football and when I heard about their interest I didn’t think twice. I just felt – sign now and close the deal quickly”.

Afellay believes his new team is: “fast and has a really high level. Every new player who comes in has to find his position in the team and that’s what I will do”.

As the latest Dutchman to join the club, Afellay claimed: “Players from Holland have always been welcome here. Players like Cruyff or Kluivert are very well known and they have told me this is the best club in the world”.

Afellay has signed a four and a half year contract with Barcelona. He is a Dutch national team player of Moroccan descent. He was born on 2 April 1986 in Utrecht, Netherlands*

Source: fcbarcelona.com