The New Keeper

Jose Manuel Pinto is now an official blaugrana after being presented in Camp Nou on Friday. The 32 year-old shotstopper will be the replacement for the injured Albert Jorquera as his former team, Celta de Vigo, agrees for the player's 6 month loan spell. Barca payed Celta 500, 000 euros for the keeper and can purchase the player before May 31, 2008 without additional payment.

The 2005-06 Zamora trophy winner came from the ranks of Real Betis and joined Celta in 1999, where he and Sylvinho were teammates until the Brazilian fullback joined the blaugranas. He already appeared in 126 top flight matches and 56 in the second-tier. He has also competed in the Champion's League and UEFA cup with the Gailician Club. With his experience, he can compete with Valdes for first team action.


My opinion to that is Pinto is a good choice, but we should have gone for younger and better keepers like Amelia nad Shchmeichel. Still, a good choice, because of his experience and leadership.

That's all. Thank you. Visca Barca! Visca Catalunya!