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| Wednesday, September 26, 2001 13:39 EST |
Midfielder signs one-year deal
[Reuters]
MILAN -- Former Barcelona captain Pep
Guardiola has signed a one-year contract with Brescia, the
Italian Serie A club said on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old Spanish international has been without a
club since deciding to quit Barcelona at the end of last season
after 17 years with the Catalan giants.
The stylish midfielder was linked with a number of English
and Italian sides but failed to find a new team before the start
of the season.
Speaking to reporters after taking part in his first
training session with Carlo Mazzone's side, Guardiola said he
had made the surprise choice because Brescia was the club that
had shown the most interest in him.
"The team came looking for me and wanted me more than anyone
else in recent weeks," Guardiola said. "Here they have shown
that they truly wanted and needed me.
"I preferred not to sign a long contract, and in June I will
be able to decide if I want to stay here longer or not," the
Spaniard added.
Asked about people in Spain who may have found his choice
strange after he had been linked with clubs like Juventus and
Liverpool, Guardiola said he was not concerned.
"I don't care about those who don't appreciate my choice
because, above all, before speaking you need to know about
things, to know Brescia for example," the playmaker said.
Guardiola's failure to find a team prior to the start of the
season cost him a place in Spain's squad for its final two
World Cup qualifiers, with coach Jose Antonio Camacho saying he
could not afford to pick a player who was not at least training
with a club.
At Brescia, Guardiola will team up with another player who
has a rich pedigree at the highest level, former European Player
of the Year Roberto Baggio.
"I have played with many stars at Barca," Guardiola said.
"When I decided to leave Spain I knew I wanted to play in a team
with quality players such as Baggio. I am looking forward to
playing with him now."
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