Espanyol unveil Uche, Victor Sánchez and Coutinho
Wednesday 01 February 2012
Espanyol have been one of the prime movers in the January transfer market with the unveiling of no less than three new signings on deadline day.
Nigerian striker Kalu Uche and the versatile Victor Sánchez have been snapped up from Swiss side Neuchatel Xamax while young midfielder Philippe Coutinho has arrived on loan from Inter Milan until the end of the season.
Uche, holder of a Spanish passport, is particularly delighted to be joining the Catalans having had a spell with Espanyol’s B team in the 2000-01 season before going on to play for Wisla Krakow, Bordeaux and Almería.
“I will do my best to help the team because I came here as a young boy and enjoyed it very much,” said the 29-year-old. “I am very happy to return as the dressing room here is like a family and I feel in good shape, despite not having trained for a few days.”
Victor Sánchez, 24, returns to the city where he spent five years with cross-city rivals Barcelona, making eight first-team appearances, and is another player thrilled to be back in Spain.
“It has been a very hard six months for me in Switzerland, both professionally and personally,” he told Espanyol’s television channel. “But this club are fifth in the table, level on points with fourth-placed Levante, and there is a chance to do something really important this season.”
The Barcelona-born player is known for his ability to play in midfield and defence, giving boss Mauricio Pochettino a number of options as he eyes the Champions League places with just over half the season gone.
“I play in central midfield and sometimes further back, but my best position is as a defensive midfielder. I promise I will fight and never give up a lost cause so that I can gain the confidence of the Coach,” said Sánchez.
In Coutinho’s case he is hoping an extended run in the Espanyol team will see his chances of being selected for the Brazilian team to compete in the London Olympics given a boost.
“I want to do well and this is a good opportunity for me and is very important. There were four clubs interested in me but I chose Espanyol,” declared the 19-year-old.
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