Villa passes medical, praised by Atleti's supremo

David Villa has already passed his medical examination at Atletico Madrid ahead of completing a move from Barcelona.

On from yesterday’s announcement that Atleti had agreed a €5.1m deal to sign the 31-year-old from Barca, the player arrived in the Spanish capital in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Atleti have now confirmed that Villa has passed a preliminary medical examination, held at a clinic in Majadahonda, Madrid.

It is expected that the player will then head over to the club’s training centre for further tests and to finalise terms of his move, ahead of an expected presentation a week today, on July 16.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid President Enrique Cerezo has enthused at his club’s capture of David Villa from Barcelona.

“We have wanted David Villa since he went to Valencia, we are very pleased with his signing,” Cerezo reflected.

“We are pleased because many Spanish and foreign teams wanted Villa.

“I believe that the fans are going crazy because they thought he was going to go to a major English team. The price that he cost us is much less.

“[Radamel] Falcao will be missed, because it is not easy to match a player of his quality, but we think that Villa can replace him very well.

“Villa has many football seasons left. He is a natural goalscorer. Everyone hopes for him because he is an important member of the Spanish national team. We hope he will score many gaols.

“Negredo? He is a player who is not here. The No 9 for Atletico is Villa and the rest is history.

“Will we get Diego Ribas? This signing, today, is impossible.”