Joao Felix delighted over Barcelona move: “It was a dream since I was a child”

Having completed his loan move to FC Barcelona from Atletico Madrid on the transfer deadline day on Friday, Joao Felix was presented as a Barça player earlier today.

Following the contract signings with president Joan Laporta, the 23-year-old Portuguese international spoke about what the move meant for him and how he is here to help the club achieve more success.

Felix very happy with dream move

“Everyone knows how happy I am to be here. It was a dream of mine as a child. I’ve been watching Barça since I was a kid, I’m here to help, to be one more and to have a great season,” said an elated Joao Felix.

It is no secret that the 23-year-old had better offers from elsewhere this summer, but he opted to wait for Barcelona and expressed his delight about the move finally being completed.

“It’s a unique feeling, something I’ve been looking for for a long time. When I found out about the interest I was very happy and with everyone’s effort it was achieved,” he admitted.

“I insist since I was a child, me, my father, my brother have always been Barça fans and I had this desire to work to reach the highest level and here I am. That’s where the passion for this club comes from,” the former SL Benfica wonderkid added.

Looking forward to the season, Felix stated that he wanted to win trophies with Barcelona, highlighting the UEFA Champions League as his main dream.

“I hope it will be a great season, that we give a lot of joy, that we fight for titles because this club lives on greatness. The Champions League is the title of my dreams and we will do everything to achieve it,” Felix stated.

Laporta, Deco welcome Felix

Prior to Felix speaking, Barcelona president Joan Laporta took the stage and welcomed the Portuguese international, hailing him as a special player who can succeed in the club’s system and style of play.

“It is a very important day for the club. We brought in a very talented player. And we think that Joao’s talent can be fully expressed with our system of play. He is very motivated and so are we,” the president said.

Going on to thank everyone involved in the deal for their efforts, Laporta added: “He has shown a commitment to the club and it has been made possible thanks to the work of our team, of Deco, it has not been easy. There have been many difficulties. And on the part of his agent, Mendes, who also made a great effort.”

Stressing on the efforts made by Felix to join the club, the Barcelona supremo said: “But above all, I would highlight the great effort of the player. We are very excited, with Felix the squad has improved a lot.”

Newly-appointed sporting director Deco also had a few words to say as he expressed how at one point Barça thought the deal would be impossible.

“From the first minute Joao has shown that he wanted to come to the club. It was very difficult but together with the coach we knew that we had a space for Joao,” Deco said.

“I think he can contribute a lot, he will give Xavi more solutions and we grow as a team with Joao. I wish him luck and I hope he helps us a lot.”

In a nice touch, Laporta also made sure to mention the efforts of Mateu Alemany, who brought an end to his chapter at the club last night after the culmination of the transfer window.

“I want to highlight the work of Mateu, who in principle is planning to leave. He has worked side by side with Deco until the end and that is a reason to praise him. He is a great professional and knows that Barça’s doors will always be open to him,” he said.

Source: SPORT