Former Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani has explained why he’s joined La Liga side Valencia on a free transfer.
The 35-year-old had been a free agent since the end of June following his release from the Red Devils.
The legendary Uruguayan had been biding his time before making his move, but he has signed a two-year contract at the Mestalla.
The former Paris Saint Germain striker had spent the last two seasons at Old Trafford, but El Matador endured an underwhelming second campaign with the Red Devils.
Having scored 17 goals across all competitions in his maiden campaign with the twenty-time league champions, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer convinced the marksman to extend his stay by a further year.
But following the emotional return of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Theatre of Dreams last August, Cavani handed over his number seven shirt to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and became a back-up striking option to Portugal’s captain.
United’s former number 21 scored just two goals last season and made seven Premier League starts in a season which was significantly impacted by injuries.
Former Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani explains why he’s joined Valencia
Having already played in Serie A, Ligue 1 and the Premier League, Cavani was keen to pit his wits in La Liga, another of Europe’s big five leagues.
With the 2022 World Cup in Qatar just two-and-a-half months away, Cavani will be keen to prove his fitness for Los Ches under Italian manager Gennaro Gattuso.
“I am happy to be here. I wanted to play in Spain and Valencia were willing to bet on me,” Cavani said.
“I like to be where I’m wanted, where I’m loved because you live off the strength of the fans and the club’s love.
“I talked to coach Gennaro Gattuso and Valencia have given me a lot of confidence, so I hope I can give them my best and leave a good image here.”
Cavani, who watched his new side lose 1-0 to Atletico Madrid at the Mestalla last night, has trained by himself for the last three months and Gattuso is aware that it’ll take the Uruguayan time to build up his fitness.
“Well, I think that – whether it is me or the medical staff – we have to work well with him,” Gattuso said.
“He is a player that has been training on his own for three months [since his contract with Manchester United expired at the end of last season].
“We have to train and coach him well. We have to look after him well and take care of him, because he has been out of action for three months.
“I think he has come here to Valencia to help us, but the club needs to help him as well. We need to find the right way for him to play.”
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