Barcelona goalkeeper Jordi Masip has paid tribute to Victor Valdes after moving into La Blaugrana’s first team.
Masip will be Barcelona’s third-choice goalkeeper next season, having previously been a regular with Barca B.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen has joined Barca this summer and the club are still in the market for an experienced addition, but Masip will also be part of Luis Enrique’s squad.
“I am very proud to reach the first team and I really want to start work with the best players in the world, starting with pre-season,” Masip told Marca.
“My reference is clear: Victor Valdes is the best goalkeeper, the most complete, and I hope he recovers soon.
“It will be hard to match what he has done here. It is the mirror through which I view myself.”
Valdes had already announced he would leave Camp Nou this summer but suffered a season-ending knee injury in March.
Like Valdes, Masip is a Barca youth graduate and Masip believes he will have a fair shot of making the team under the newly-appointed Enrique.
“I arrive with great enthusiasm and desire. Enrique is a Coach with great confidence in the Cantera,” Masip added.
