Packed house: Barcelona's fans welcome Zlatan
Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic triggered a mass pitch invasion at the Nou
Camp after completing his move to Barcelona. The Sweden star has
signed a five-year deal despite the European champions discovering
a fracture in his medical. And when Ibrahimovic was presented at
the Spanish giants, supporters stormed the pitch in delight.
The enigmatic forward arrives after Inter Milan accepted an
offer of around £40million with Samuel Eto'o and Alexander
Hleb also joining the Italian champions in the 'swap' deal.
But the club revealed they had detected a fracture in the
striker's left hand, which he sustained during Inter's pre-season
defeat to Chelsea last
week, before confirming the switch on Monday afternoon.
'We've extensively examined the injury to his left hand,' club
doctor Ricard
Pruna told the club's official website. 'We've seen that he has a
fracture at the base of the second metacarpal of his left hand.
'It's a fracture that we have to study how to fix it so that he
can play as soon as possible. This afternoon we will meet up and
decide what treatment we will do.'
Now Barcelona have wrapped up the Ibrahimovic deal, they will
turn their attention to making one last attempt to lure Liverpool's
Javier Mascherano.
The Argentina midfielder is desperate to join the European
champions but the Reds are refusing to sell, particularly as Xabi
Alonso looks set to leave for Real Madrid.
Circus act: Ibrahimovic juggles the ball on the Nou
Camp pitch
Ibrahimovic admitted he was delighted to be heading for
Pep Guardiola's all-conquering side. 'It's difficult to
explain my feelings,' the Swede said. 'We are almost there, only my
signature is missing.
'Every player wants to come to Barca, but not everybody can.
When I saw Barca were interested in me I told my manager to sort it
out and he’s done a great job.
'Who wouldn’t want to come to Barca? I think any player would
want to represent what is the best club in Europe and maybe the
world. The best players have to be at Barca and I hope to be one of
them.'
As part of the deal, Inter may also land Barca winger Alex Hleb
on loan.
Rush hour: Barcelona fans on the famous
turf
Soaking it up: Fans crash on the pristine
grass
Madness: Ibrahimovic is confronted with a Barcelona
supporter
Eto'o said: 'I'm very happy to finally have arrived in
Milan. For me this is a new adventure and I really want to make the
very most of everything. 'I'm starting a new life and I hope it
brings happiness and success. My first aim will be to win the
Champions League.'
Barcelona may now turn their attention to luring Liverpool
midfielder Javier Mascherano.
