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FC Barcelona has signed midfielder Javier Mascherano from Liverpool today for a reported €22 million transfer fee. The Argentine has agreed a four year deal where he will earn up to €5.5 million per season. The protracted transfer has at times turned ugly, with the player refusing to play for Liverpool and with manager new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson terming the Argentine skipper's behaviour unprofessional. Inter Milan and Barcelona were the two clubs interested in the midfielder, but Inter were put off by Liverpool's asking price. Barcelona were in need of a defensive midfielder after Yaya Toure was sold to Manchester City in the summer and Mascherano will be a great addition to their squad.

The departure of Rafa Benitez brought a cloud of uncertainty over Anfield and Mascherano was one among a list of players being linked with a move away from the club. After a summer of speculation, Barcelona finally put in a bid of £15 million plus Alex Hleb but the offer was rejected by the Reds, who were looking to cash in on the purchase. Inter Milan made a late offer of £6 million plus Sulley Muntari , which was thought to be a "joke" by the Liverpool officials. Hodgson explained, "I saw a fax but I think it was sent tongue in cheek. It was so unbelievably far from our valuation that we didn't bother to answer." Later, Mascherano's agent was quoted saying, "Javier would love to play for Barcelona next season. The player and all of us would love to see him sign for them."

Javier Mascherano began his club career with River Plate in 2003. His first silverware with River was the 2003-04 Clausura Championship. He joined Brazilian side Corinthians in 2005 for $15 million. He was blighted with injuries during his short stay in Brazil, missing half the season through a stress fracture on his foot. That summer, he had an impressive World Cup with Argentina and caught the attention of clubs in Europe. What transpired next was as unexpected and shocking as the signing of Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa by Spurs in 1978. West Ham United signed Mascherano and Carlos Tevez on the final day of the transfer window for an undisclosed fee.

The pair's arrival disrupted the squad and West Ham capitulated. He didn't feature in most of their matches and while Tevez became a legend saving the club famously from relegation, Mascherano barely got a look in. His move to Liverpool in January 2007 came as a huge surprise to the English footballing universe, who wondered what a fringe player at West Ham would do in a Red shirt.

At Anfield though he settled down quickly and became a vital part of the team. His tackling and aggression won him many admirers at the club and signed a contract extension in 2008 that could keep him at the club till 2012. But by the turn of 2010, his fortunes along with Liverpool's faded after a horrendous season. Liverpool eventually finished 7th in the League, which led to the sacking of Rafa Benitez in the summer. Mascherano wanted to follow his former Manager to Inter Milan but with neither club reaching an agreement he turned his attention towards Barcelona.

Barcelona courted Mascherano with open arms, he arrived in the Catalan city on 28th August where he posed in front of the club crest ahead of talking to Barca TV.

"I am pleased and proud to be forming a part of a team that has won everything...It is a dream come true because of what it all means. After everything I have done in the past few years this is great, but above all because I will play for a great team with great people... Just like I have with every team I have played for I will give everything and really want to help in any way I can," said the Argentine, who can't wait to team up with compatriot Lionel Messi.

Coach Pep Guardiola was full of praise for his new signing in his press briefing ahead of Barca's La Liga kick-off against Racing Santander, "Mascherano will give us many things and I want to congratulate him and the club, who did things well. He is much more than a defensive player. He has a great touch, keeps things simple, is very strong and will add a lot to our midfield. Also, despite being young he has great experience and we have references that he is a good person too."

When asked whether Mascherano was a replacement for Yaya Toure the Barca boss said, "Mascherano is different. But he will integrate quickly because tactically he is very intelligent. Both he and Sergio Busquets can play together because use different ways to move the ball out from the back."

Mascherano commenced the formalities of his medical this morning at 8am, and then headed to the club to put pen to paper on his new contract. He was then unveiled to the press in the afternoon, and will sport the no. 14 shirt at Barcelona, once graced by Dutch legend Johan Cryuff, and more recently French striker Thierry Henry.

Factfile:
Born: 8th June 1984, San Lorenzo, Argentina
2004: Won his first piece of silverware with River Plate in the Clausura Championship
2004: Won a gold medal with the Argentinean squad at the Athens Olympic Games.
2005: Joined Corinthians for $15 million.
2006: Joined West Ham along with Carlos Tevez on the last day of the transfer window.
2007: Joined Liverpool hours before the transfer market closed.
2008: Won a gold medal with the Argentinean squad at the Beijing Olympic Games.
27th August 2010: Joins Barcelona on a four year deal

File Photograph Copyright: Ryu Voelkel

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