Afellay and his representative touched down at El Prat airport (Barcelona) at 11:50 today. They were taken by coach straight to the FC Barcelona offices at the Camp Nou. There were a number of Barça fans waiting at the stadium for pictures and autographs. Director of sport Andoni Zubizarreta and director of football Raül Sanllehí welcomed Afellay to Barcelona.


Next “Ibi” posed for some photos in front of his new club’s crest. Our new signing then spoke briefly to Barça TV before moving indoors for the all-important meeting. Asked about his first day in Barcelona, the Dutchman said “I’m a bit nervous, but that’s normal, I am at the best club in the world, it’s an amazing club … I’m just enjoying the moment. Every player’s dreams of coming to Barça. Ask any player in the world and they’ll tell you they want to play here, where they play the best football in the world.”

In the afternoon, Afellay went through his medical exam which he passed with flying colours. After arriving in Barcelona this morning and taking the usual photo with the FC Barcelona shield, the player at around four was examined by the club’s medical services. Afellay underwent tests of endurance, podiatry, radiography and an ultrasound of his heart and muscles.


First team doctor Ricard Pruna noted that the evaluation went very positively with regards to Afellya’s physical condition: ”Everything is perfect and healthy. He came in good shape physically. The stress test has been very good.” Pruna also said that “to date, he has not had any muscle injury, and he shows no visible signs (scars) of having had any in the past.”

The Dutchman will be presented as an FC Barcelona player tomorrow and will hold a press conference at 11:30.

Afellay has formally signed for FC Barcelona and was presented to the Camp Nou crowd this afternoon wearing the number 20 jersey. According to ‘El Mundo Deportivo’ his contract will run through to June 2015 and his buy-out clause is set at €100 million.

Below are some of the answers he gave to questions in his first official press conference. Compliments have to be given to twitter.com/barcastuff.

“I’m very happy to join this club and to be part of the best club in the world. Visca el Barça!”


“Since I was little i wanted to play for Barça. When they called me, I quickly said yes.”

“I talked with Kluivert and Cocu.They told me this is the best club in the world. Dutch players are well-received here.”

“I’ll need some time to adapt but I’m sure Guardiola will help me to make it happen quickly”

“Everyone knows I can play at different positions. Wherever the coach asks me to play, I’ll do it the best I can.”

“This is a dream coming true for me. Barça is the best club in the world, more than a club.”

“I know there are a lot of great players here. I’ll work hard to get a spot in the team.”

“How do I want people to call me? Ibi.”

“Not only the 5-0 against Madrid was football from another planet. The 2-6 at the bernabeu was too.”

Meanwhile Zubizarreta also said: “There’s not one reason why we signed Afellay now. His talent, the composition of our squad, holding off others…”

“We won’t sign any more players during the winter transfer market.”

Here is the first video of Afellay’s first touches of the ball during the presentation.

Apart from talking about other matters that were discussed and agreed upon during the final Board meeting for the year 2010, which includes the recovery of real estate assets as reported on the club’s official website, FC Barcelona spokesman Toni Freixa also announced the securing of an agreement with two new global brand-name sponsors.


Spain’s Telefonica, the world’s third largest broadband and telecommunications provider will pay the club €5 million over the next two seasons for the use of its image to market its products.

The other sponsor Freixa revealed in the press conference yesterday was the agreement the club signed with Seiko – a name better known for its watches and time instruments but the company also has interest in sports accessories through its Sports Life co. subsidiary. The deal is worth €2.85 million for the next three years.