Barca man Gabri commits to Ajax until 2009
06 June: For the first time in history,
a player has moved from FC Barcelona to Ajax,
rather than the other way around: Gabriel García de la
Torre, known as Gabri, penned a contract for three seasons at
the Amsterdam ArenA today. The 27 year-old has
played at many different positions for
Barça (including right fullback and right
midfielder) but he prefers to play
in central midfield. Gabri, who won three caps
for Spain so far, joins Ajax on a free transfer.
Henk ten Cate, Martin van Geel
and Maarten
Fontein welcome Gabri to Ajax. [Photo: Ajax.nl]
After having signed his contract, Gabri told the press why
he chose Ajax, rather than one of the Spanish top flight sides
that were after his signature: "Firstly, I chose Ajax because
of the manager. I worked with him for three years at
Barcelona. He knows me well and I know him. He
convinced me that this would be the right choice for me."
"Secondly," continued Gabri, "I chose Ajax because of the
club they are, the history, the sporting level. Ajax is a big
club in the world. We can go for titles with Ajax.
They have things to offer that other
clubs haven't. Moreover, there are similarities between
Barcelona and Ajax. Both clubs have a famous youth system,
where young players are taught the tactical system of the first
team. The style of play is similar, too. Because of these
similarities I think I can easily adapt to Ajax's club culture
and style of play."
Gabriel García de la Torre (born Sallent, Spain, 10
February 1979) came through the youth ranks of FC Barcelona and
made his début as a professional in 1997 for Barcelona
B, the club's second team, who play as an independent lower
division side in the Spanish Liga. After 54 league appearances
(7 goals) in two seasons he made the jump to the 'big'
Barça in the summer of 1999, at age 20.
He was in Barcelona's first squad for seven seasons
and had 128 appearances in Spain's Primera
Division (8 goals). As a Barça first
teamer Gabri won two Spanish championships (2005,
2006), one Spanish Super Cup (2005) and the UEFA Champions
League (2006). Under head-coach Frank Rijkaard, however,
Gabri was hardly ever a starter: he only saw action in 31
official games in the last three seasons, mostly as a
substitute player.
Gabri played for Spanish national teams in several age
categories: in 1999 he grabbed the World Cup with Spain U-20
and he also owns an Olympic silver medal, grabbed with Spain's
Olympic team in Sydney (2000). So far, he won three caps
for the 'real' national team.
Ajax head-coach Henk ten Cate was a happy man after Gabri
had signed his three season deal: "He's a winner," Ten Cate
said, "a football player with many qualities and great stamina.
He has a great forward drive and can support the striker. I am
very pleased that he's joined us." (MP)
Source: Ajax.nl
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