Juventus
Real Madrid's German international midfielder Sami Khedira signed for defeated Champions League finalists Juventus on Tuesday, the Italian club announced.
The 28-year-old joins the Italian champions for free on a four-year contract which expires on June 30, 2019.
The Stuttgart-born Khedira had been at Real Madrid since the summer of 2010, and has achieved success in La Liga, the Copa del Rey (twice), the Spanish Super Cup, the Uefa Super Cup, the Champions League and the Club World Cup.
A statement by Juventus said: “Juventus Football Club has today completed the signing of Sami Khedira.
Read more: The National's Transfer Talk page
“The 28-year-old, who will officially join from Real Madrid on a free transfer on 1 July 2015, has agreed terms on a four-year contract which expires on 30 June 2019.”
His arrival has also given Juve, who won their first league and Cup double in 20 years last season, cover in the event that Chilean international Arturo Vidal is lured away from the club.
Vidal, who is currently on duty at the Copa America, has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.
The statement added: “Khedira, who is normally deployed in front of the defence as a ball-winning midfielder, is able to cover a lot of ground while also possessing excellent passing and shooting ability, and great vision of the game.
“Bianconeri boss Massimiliano Allegri is set to add a player of class, quality and international experience to his ranks, ready to enrich one of the strongest midfields in world football.”
Barcelona defeated Juventus 3-1 in the Champions League final last Saturday in Berlin.
Barcelona
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique, who led the Catalan giants to the treble in his first campaign in charge, has agreed to extend his contract with the Spanish side until June 2017.
“We have sealed the renewal of Luis Enrique’s contract until 2017, so we will have Luis Enrique for two more years,” Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu told a news conference.
Enrique capped his first season as Barcelona’s head coach by matching Pep Guardiola’s feat from the 2008/09 season when the club captured the European, Spanish league and cup titles.
“We are very happy, it could not be any other way. After a year in which we faced many difficulties but also had great results , we are more than excited and hope to win new titles,” he said in a statement.
Despite being under contract with Barcelona until June 2016, Enrique had consistently refused to tie his future to the club.
“The truth is I don’t know if I will continue (next season). The season isn’t over yet, we have a long night ahead of us,” he said Saturday before Barcelona’s 3-1 Champions League final win over Juventus in Berlin.
After the final Enrique said Barcelona’s hunger for silverware is insatiable and they want to make more history by becoming the first team to win back-to-back Champions League titles.
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