Barça B - Official: Longas to Cartagena

Spanish second division club Cartagena has on Monday officially announced the transfer of Barcelona Atlètic attacking midfielder Antonio Longás (24).

Barcelona has itself officially confirmed the news yesterday, adding that the contract with Longás, who joined Barcelona last summer arriving from Zaragoza, had been rescinded.

The Spanish midfielder, who had a contract with Barcelona until 2010, has signed a one-year deal with Cartagena, who was promoted to the second division last season.

Read more:
Barça B - Official: Botia to Sporting on loan
Barça B - Official: Rayo will leave
Barça B - Official: Corcoles to Recreativo

Sylvinho and Caceres not in Valencia list

Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola announced earlier today a list of 18 players for the 33rd league game against Valencia tomorrow evening at 8:00 pm.

The list:
Valdés, Jorquera,
Alves, Puyol, Piqué, Márquez, Abidal,
Xavi, Touré, Busquets, Keita, Gudjohnsen, Iniesta,
Messi, Eto'o, Bojan, Henry, Hleb

Pinto, Sylvinho and Cáceres -who had fever this week- are not included, like Víctor Sanchéz and Pedro, who will play with Barcelona Atlètic this weekend. Milito is still recovering from his injury. Yesterday, Barcelona Alètic players Longás, Rueda and Córcoles trained with the group.

This morning at 11 am, the team had a last training session. The players will gather at the stadium tomorrow at 10:30 am. One hour later, the plain will take off for Valencia, where they are expected to arrive at 12:25 pm.

Barça B: Botia probably called-up for first team

Barcelona official's website claims that Barcelona Atlètic central defender and Spanish youth international Alberto Botía (20) could be part of the match list for the league game against Athletic Bilbao tomorrow.

With Milito and Abidal still injured and Alves (five yellow cards) and Cáceres (red card) suspended, Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola could call-up the Spanish defender.

Botía has over the last two days been training with the first team. Yesterday, Barcelona Atlètic players Rayo and Longás also joined the training session of the first team. Catalan sports paper Sport claims that the fact that Botía didn't travel with the second team today is another indication of a probable call-up.

Read more:
International: Jeffren and Botia make U21 debut
Introducing the four selected B-team players
Four B-team players in Shakhtar list

Suspended Marquez and Pique not in Sporting list

Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola announced yesterday that all available players are called-up for the 22nd game of the Spanish league against Sporting Gijón this evening at 7:00 pm.

The list:
Valdés, Pinto, Jorquera,
Alves, Puyol, Cáceres, Abidal, Sylvinho,
Xavi, Touré, Busquets, Keita, Gudjohsen, Víctor Sánchez,
Messi, Eto'o, Bojan, Henry, Iniesta, Pedro, Hleb


Márquez and Piqué are suspended because of a red card last week. Puyol returns from an injury after receiving the green light yesterday. Keita is apparently also again available. Pedro and Víctor Sánchez will not play with Barcelona Atlètic this weekenf. Milito is still recovering from an injury. The final list of 18 players will be announced later today.

On Friday, Barcelona Atlètic players Botía, Córcoles, Abraham and Jeffren trained with the first team. On Monday, Maric, Nolito, Abraham, Longas, Rayo, Rueda and Benja joined the training session.

Barcelona had a last training session this morning. After they will have a lunch together, the players don't have the afternoon off this time but will stay at the NH Constanza hotel until they will return at 6 pm to the Camp Nou for the game.

Abidal training normally with the group

After medical tests yesterday, the Barcelona squad was this morning again out on the training pitch to start preparing the Valencia game on Saturday.

With the exception of Gabriel Milito and Andrés Iniesta, all first team players were present, including left back defender Abidal, who is still recovering from a knee problem.

Barcelona Atlètic players Miño, Víctor Vázquez and Gai took part in the session. Last week, Longás, Thiago and Abraham were invited to join the first team.

Five B players take part in training

Barcelona returned to training yesterday, with Alexander Hleb normally taking part in the exercises.

Because only six first team players were available, Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola called five players from Barcelona Atlètic to join the training session:

goalkeeper Oier (19 - first picture, third from the tight), central defender Verdés (24 - first picture, on the right), midfielders Fontàs (19 - first picture, fourth from the left) and Rueda (21 - second picture, on the left) and forward Nolito (21 - first picture, second from the right)

Today five other players joined the session:

midfielder Longás (24), centre forward Maric (24), defensive midfielder Xavi Torres (21), attacker Víctor Vázquez (21) and midfielder Abraham (23)

Rafael Márquez, Samuel Eto'o, Seydou Keita and Touré Yaya, who don't have to play with their national team on Wednesday, are expected to take part in the Tuesday afternoon training session.

B players keep on training with first team

While the internationals are coming back from their trips abroads, Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola kept on calling players from Barcelona Atlètic to join the training sessions over the past days.

On Wednesday, seven B players were invited over: right back defender Córcoles (23), left back defender Espasandín (23), midfielders Longás (24), Busquets (20) and Thiago (17) and forwards Nolito (21) and Maric (24). Yesterday and today, only Busquets remained with the senior squad.

Four B players train with first team

Because only six first team players were available today (Alves, Eto'o, Valdés, Pinto, Sylvinho and Víctor Sánchez), Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola called four players from Barcelona Atlètic to join the training session this morning:

right back defender Córcoles (23), forward Nolito (21 - second picture), midfielder Longás (24) and left back defender Espasandín (23 - third picture, on the ball)

Read more:

Barça B: Five B players train with first team

Barça B - Official: Longas

Barça B - Official: Nolito

Barça B: Five B players train with first team

Because only five first team players were available today (Alves, Valdés, Pinto, Sylvinho and Víctor Sánchez), Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola called five players from Barcelona Atlètic to join the training session:

Víctor Vázquez (21 - first picture, centre right), Córcoles (23 - first picture, centre left), Xavi Torres (21 - first picture, left), Longás (24 - second picture, centre) and Maric (24 - second picture, left)

#

Barça B: Longas wants to play for promotion

Asked about how he felt about being a Barcelona player, new Barcelona Atlètic player Antonio Longás (23) has said in an interview with Catalan sports paper Sport that he is satisfied with the transfer:

"I have always liked the style of Barcelona. The way of playing they demonstrate in all categories starting from the youth is very attractive, so I'm very happy with the transfer. Luis Enrique called me twice and to know that he really wanted me to join his team was an extra motivation to accept the offer.

I was a little surprised that Zaragoza gave me such a hard time but now I'm here and I want to help the team as much as I can. I know that the club has been building a team that can compete for promotion and I hope to add my share to that. The responsability is always shared by all the players but because of my age and experience they probably will ask some more from me."

Read more:

Barça B - Official: Longas

Barça B - Official: Joni

Barça B: Zaragoza holding on to Longas

Barça B - Official: Longas

Barcelona has today officially announced the transfer of Zaragoza midfielder Antonio Longás (23), who will play with Barcelona Atlètic in the third division next season. Spanish second division club Zaragoza had already officially confirmed the transfer on Monday.

Longás, who played on loan with Tenerife in the Spanish second division last season, has signed a two-year deal. The Spanish defender is (after Rayo, Solano, Nolito, Verdes and Joni) the sixth signing of Barcelona Atlètic this summer (read more here).

Longás, who made his debut in the Primera División with Zaragoza two years ago, will start training with the group this afternoon: "I'll try to catch up with the others as soon as possible since I'm aware that there will be a lot of competition. I was already informed that Luis Enrique works very hard on the physical conditions but I'll have to deal with that.

I can play both as defensive midfielder as in a more offensive role. I hope to help the team with my passes and by distributing the game. I had some offers from second division clubs but when Barcelona showed interest for me, I didn't have to think too much about my decision. It's true that I'm coming to a lower division and it could be seen as a step back but I'm just doing this to be able to make three steps forward in the future."

Read the official announcements of the other transfers of Barcelona Atlètic:

Rayo - Solano - Nolito - Verdes - Joni

Read more:

Barça B: Zaragoza confirms transfer of Longas

Barça B - Official: Contract of Guerra cancelled

Barça B: Zaragoza holding on to Longas

Barça B: Zaragoza confirms transfer of Longas

Second division club Zaragoza has officially announced that Zaragoza midfielder Antonio Longás (23) will play for Barcelona Atlètic next season. Although several papers expected the player to sign today, Barcelona has not yet confirmed the transfer.

All media agree that Longás, who is representented by sports agency Bahía International, will sign a two-year deal with Barcelona but the nature of the deal is somewhat unclear. Catalan sports paper Sport claims that the deal is permanent. Madrid sports tabloid Marca claims that Zaragoza has a buy-back option.

Aragon sports paper Equipo claims that Zaragoza can get the player back for free after one season and will receive 35 per cent of a transfer fee if Barcelona sells Longás.

Aragon regional newspaper El Periódico de Aragón claims that it's a loan deal and that Zaragoza can buy Longás, whose contract with Zaragoza expires in 2010, back for 150 000 euro next summer and for 300 000 euro in the summer of 2010.

Read more:

Barça B: Longas could finally sign

Barça B: Zaragoza holding on to Longas

Barça B: Zaragoza asks buyout fee for Goni

Barça B: Longas to sign today

Aragon regional newspaper El Periódico de Aragón claims that Zaragoza midfielder Antonio Longás (23) is expected to finally sign a two-year deal with Barcelona Atlètic today (read more here).

Zaragoza will keep an option to buy the Spanish midfielder back for 150 000 euro° next summer and for 300 000 euro° in the summer of 2010.

Read more:

Barça B: Longas waiting for permission to sign

Barça B: Zaragoza asks buyout fee for Goni

Barça B: Zaragoza holding on to Longas

Barça B: Longas waiting for permission to sign

Aragon regional newspaper El Periódico de Aragón claims that Zaragoza midfielder Antonio Longás (23) still didn't receive the authorization of his club to leave for Barcelona Atlètic (read more here).

While everything seems to be agreed upon, Longás, who played on loan with second division team Tenerife last season, is therefore still training with Zaragoza although manager Marcelino doesn't count on him.

Longás would sign a two-year contract with Barcelona Atlètic. Zaragoza would have the right to buy the player back during the next two summer transfer windows.

Read more:

Barça B: Deal with Longas (Zaragoza)

Barça B - Official: Contract of Guerra cancelled

Barça B: Longas could finally sign

Barça B: Longas could finally sign

Aragon regional newspaper El Periódico de Aragón claims that Zaragoza midfielder Antonio Longás (23), who played on loan with second division team Tenerife last season, would now finally be close to signing a contract with Barcelona and joining Barcelona Atlètic (read more here).

New Zaragoza manager Marcelino doesn't count on Longás for next season but Zaragoza will keep an option to buy the player back and will receive a part of the transfer fee if he is sold by Barcelona. Longás would sign a two-year contract with Barcelona.

Read more:

Barça B: Deal with Longas (Zaragoza)

Barça B: Sevilla rejects Valiente buy back option

Barça B: Zaragoza holding on to Longas

Barça B: Longas is on his way

Asked about the problems surrounding the transfer of Zaragoza midfielder Antonio Longás (23) to Barcelona Atlètic (previously knows as Barcelona B) (read more here), Zaragoza president Eduardo Bandrés has said at a press conference that the player will most probably leave soon:

"The exit negotiations are very well-advanced and there's no problem whatsoever. We just wanted to give the new manager the chance to see him during the first week of the pre-season so he could analyze all options and possibilities."

Read more:

Barça B: Zaragoza holding on to Longas

Barça B - Official: Nolito

Barça B: Deal with Longas (Zaragoza)

Barça B: Zaragoza holding on to Longas

Aragon regional newspaper El Periódico de Aragón claims that Zaragoza midfielder Antonio Longás (23), whose transfer to Barcelona Atlètic (previously known as Barcelona B) is subject to an agreement between the two clubs (read more here), will at least continue the pre-season with second division club Zaragoza until the end of the week.

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Zaragoza cancelled an earlier pre-agreement but that a final agreement is nevertheless expected soon. Catalan sport paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that the player could join Barcelona Atlètic on Saturday.

In an interview with Aragon regional newspaper Heraldo de Aragón, Longás said last week that he will only leave for Barcelona: "I wish to join Barcelona and I'm not considering any other option: if I don't leave for Barcelona, I prefer to stay with Zaragoza until my contract expires next year. The club has told me they don't need me anymore. I respect that decision but then they should allow me to go to the club of my choice.

A move to Barcelona would only bring advantages: it's one of the biggest clubs in the world, they work very well with their youth teams and their way of playing suits my style. The support of the technical staff, including manager Guardiola, has been decisive in my decision. They believe in me and I have felt that from the first day we have been talking.

They also offer me a two-year contract, which gives me some more stability. I will have a professional contract which would allow me to switch between the first and the second team without any problems, although I'm aware that's not a very likely option at this moment, rather a dream."

Read more:
Barça B: Still no deal with Zaragoza on Longas
Barça B - Official: Solano
Barça B: Deal with Longas (Zaragoza)

Barça B: Still no deal with Zaragoza on Longas

Aragón regional sports paper Equipo claimed yesterday that Barcelona and Zaragoza had finally found an agreement on the transfer of Zaragoza midfielder Antonio Longás (23) to Barcelona Atlètic (previously known as Barcelona B).

Longás, who still has one year left with Zaragoza, would sign today a two-year contract with Barcelona (read more here).

The midfielder would join Barcelona Atlètic for free but Zaragoza would have a buy back option plus a percentage on a future transfer fee.

But later on Sunday, Longás again had to participate in a Zaragoza training session. The Spanish midfielder showed his disappointment about the events in an interview with Aragon regional newspaper El Periódico de Aragón:

"They start to drive me a little crazy and I honestly don't know what to say anymore. Saturday morning I was told that everything was agreed upon and in the afternoon they added that I didn't have to train anymore. And now I'm back here. I hope everything can be arranged in the coming days so I can join Barcelona Atlètic as soon as possible."

Read more:
Barça B: Deal with Zaragoza on Longas
Barça B: Deal with Ecija on Nolito
Barça B: Deal with Longas (Zaragoza)