FCBARCELONA.CAT

14.07.2006 11:20

Damià joins Real Betis

FC Barcelona have sold Damià Abella to Real Betis Balompié for €1 million, but the Catalan club has reserved the right to repurchase him within the next two years.

The deal was sealed on Friday as the 24-year-old defender made a permanent switch to Betis, where he has signed a five-year deal. Damià, whose contract at Barça was due to expire in 2008, had a stint on loan at Racing Santander after moving to the Cantabrian outfit in January of this year. FC Barcelona wanted to thank Racing publicly for the fact that they did not stand in the way of the transfer despite having an agreement to keep the player on loan for a second season.

Buy-back options

Barça have also included two options to resign the player. The first comes at the end of the 2006/07 campaign, when he can be bought back for €1million, while the Catalan club can also sign him back at the conclusion of the 2007/08 season for €3million.

Racing form

Damià played 18 games for Racing last term, completing ten of them, to record 1,368 minutes. The Olot-born full-back started in 15 games and scored three goals. His attacking ability came to the fore in a team that was battling against relegation.