Clearing the way

Barca's Riquelme released to make room for Ronaldinho

MADRID, Spain (Reuters) -- Argentine midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme will leave Barcelona on loan to make way for new Brazilian signing Ronaldinho, the club announced on Monday.

Ronaldinho's arrival from Paris St Germain took the number of non-European Union players at Barcelona to five -- one above the maximum number allowed under Spanish Football Federation rules.

Ronaldinho was handed Riquelme's number 10 shirt at his presentation on Monday and Barcelona director of football Txiki Begiristain confirmed that the Argentine would be leaving the club after failing to land a regular place in his debut season.

"Ronaldinho will have the number 10 shirt because it's a number he likes and because it has become free," Begiristain explained.

"We've decided that Riquelme should be the player to leave.

We've spoken to him and he understands.

"Our intention is to agree a loan deal with another club and bring Riquelme back in the future."

 

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