Bakkali: "It is a big step for me to join a club with the tradition and qualities of Valencia CF, in such an attractive and competitive league"

Valencia Club de Fútbol have today reached an agreement with Belgian international Zakaria Bakkali to join the club through to June 30th, 2020.

The young Belgian player, born on January 20th, 1996, arrives on a free transfer after the conclusion of his contract at PSV Eindhoven –the Dutch side for whom he played 24 times in recent years. Bakkali, a product of the academy at Standard Liege at his home town, is considered to be one of the brightest talents in Belgian football and is very satisfied with this latest step in his career: "I am very young and it is a big step for me to join a club with the tradition and qualities of Valencia CF, in such an attractive and competitive league. I arrive here fully motivated to work hard and to help my new teammates. I had decided a while ago that I wanted to continue my career away from Eindhoven and I had many options from which to choose. Coming to Valencia CF and La Liga is a dream come true for me."

Valencia CF Chairwoman Lay Hoon Chan welcomes the arrival of Bakkali: "This is a good signing for us, because it is not always easy to sign such a young player with so much talent and potential. He has already debuted for Belgium and played at PSV Eindhoven. We are very pleased that Zakaria has chosen to join us."

After signing his contract, Bakkali will today travel to Austria with the squad for a preseason training camp.