Aitor Karanka has hailed Middlesbrough’s coup of Victor Valdes on a two-year contract as “it’s a privilege” to have landed the former Barcelona goalkeeper.
Valdes signed a two-year contract with Middlesbrough on Thursday after his release by Manchester United, and Karanka admits he did not expect a player of the shot-stopper’s calibre to join a club like the Teesiders, who recently ended a seven-year absence from the Premier League.
“You can’t imagine how delighted I am because it’s not usual to bring players like him to recently promoted teams,” the Coach told Middlesbrough’s official website.
“I’m really pleased because he is really committed. [From] all the conversations we’ve had, he knows why he is here and he is coming to add to what we have.
“He knows how strong this group is. It’s a privilege for us to be able to bring a player like this to the club.”
Valdes becomes the second player with La Liga experience to join Middlesbrough this summer, defender Bernardo Espinosa having also arrived from Sporting Gijon.