Neto replaces Cillessen at Barcelona

Barcelona have announced the signing of goalkeeper Neto, who joins from fellow LaLiga side Valencia after Jasper Cillessen moved the other way.

The LaLiga champions have paid an initial €26million plus €9m in add-ons to secure the 29-year-old Brazilian.

Neto, who spent two seasons at Valencia, is set to serve as Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s understudy following Cillessen’s move to Mestalla in search of regular first-team minutes.

His contract runs until the end of the 2022-23 season and includes a release clause set at €200m.

2- Neto Murara posted the second highest save percentage in LaLiga last season, saving 75.9% of the shots he faced (min. 30 games played) after Atletico’s Jan Oblak (79.4%). Signing. pic.twitter.com/Z9huKtumYt

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) June 27, 2019

Barca agreed to let Cillessen join Valencia on Wednesday as the first step in what is effectively a swap deal.

In Neto, the Blaugrana have gained a gloveman with 67 appearances worth of LaLiga experience.

The one-cap Brazil international arrived in Spain in 2017 following spells with Fiorentina and Juventus in Serie A.

Neto was number one for his country at the Olympic Games in 2012 but has had senior opportunities with the Selecao limited by the emergence of Alisson and Ederson, with head coach Tite favouring Cassio of Corinthians as third choice for the Copa America on home soil.