MADRID, Spain (Reuters) — France full-back Eric Abidal completed his move from Lyon to Barcelona on Friday and said the arrival of three French-speaking players at the club would help ease his adaptation to the Primera Liga.
Abidal, who has been capped 24 times for his country, signed a four-year contract in a deal worth over 15 million euros ($20.17 million).
He is Barca’s third recruit of the week following the arrival of France striker Thierry Henry from Arsenal and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure from Monaco.
French internationals Lilian Thuram and Ludovic Giuly are already at the club.
“I believe I have the right characteristics to succeed here and it will be easier to adapt, with so many French speakers here,” Abidal, 27, told a news conference.
Barca sporting director Txiki Begiristain said: “We decided we needed to provide some balance between the attack and the defense.
“Abidal is tall, strong and quick and good going forward as well as in defense. He will be a replacement for Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who has just left for Feyenoord, and will strengthen the left back position along with Silvinho.”
Barcelona have moved swiftly to strengthen the side since Real Madrid pipped them for the Primera Liga title.
Abidal joined Lyon from Lille in 2004 and went on to win three Ligue 1 titles.
