Valencia Club de Fútbol are proud to announce to the club’s fans the signing of Argentine international Nicolás Otamendi, following the reaching of an agreement with FC Porto. The 25-year old player will join Valencia CF on Julyt, 2014, on a 5-year deal guaranteed by the technical structure of the club.

General Sporting Manager, Francisco Rufete, expressed his satisfaction with the signing: “We have a great squad and we are convinced that Nico Otamendi will help us to improve from next season onwards, because he is a world class talent. He is a strategic incorporation for our project and we are fortunate that he has chosen Valencia CF out of the many clubs vying for his signature. The arrival of Otamendi is great news for all Valencianistas and for the future of our side.”

Nicolás Otamendi, a key player in the Argentina national team, wished to use the official Valencia CF social media accounts and ‘valenciacf.com’ to give his first comment on the agreement: “After playing for a club like Porto –a huge, prestigious club- it is an honour to join a club like Valencia CF for this next stage of my career. Valencia CF are one of the most historic and attractive teams in Spain and in Europe, and I am very happy with this next step in my footballing life.”

Otamendi has participated in the majority of Porto’s games in the current Portuguese SuperLiga campaign and in the UEFA Champions League, and recognises that at his new club he will be following in some illustrious footsteps: “I know that Argentinian players have been an important part of Valencia CF’s history. To wear the same shirt as Mario Kempes, Roberto Ayala, Pablo Aimar and many more is a responsibility that I will take on with much joy and excitement.”

Nicolás Otamendi Profile

Nicolás Otamendi was born on February 12th, 1988 in Buenos Aires. Since his professional start at Vélez Sarsfield, in 2009, Otamendi has won a Torneo de Clausura in his homeland, plus a trophy haul of three league titles, one cup, one Supercup and one UEFA Europa League with Portugal’s FC Porto. The defender has also obtained 16 caps for Argentina, including participation in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.