New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - New York City FC confirmed the signing of Spain international David Villa on Monday, making the former Atletico Madrid man the club's first addition.
The 32-year-old joins NYC FC - which will begin play in Major League Soccer in 2015 - on a three-year contract after spending the past nine years playing with three of the top clubs in Spain's La Liga.
Villa netted over 100 goals for Valencia from 2005-10 before making a move to Barcelona, where he helped the Catalan side capture two league titles and the Champions League in 2010-11.
After joining Atletico last summer, Villa helped the club win La Liga and reach the final of the Champions League before losing to Real Madrid.
"I couldn't be happier that we have acquired such an amazing talent as our first-ever signing," said NYC FC coach Jason Kreis. "David will be a shining example of what it will mean to be a New York City player and a leader for us on and off the field. He is hard working, he is a natural competitor, he is a winner at heart, and he is a terrific man. David has checked every box for what we were looking for in our first signing and it is a great day to be a member of this growing family of a club."
On the international level, Villa won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup as a member of Spain, and he will be heading to Brazil this summer to represent La Roja as the team attempts to win its fourth straight major tournament.
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