FERGIE PICKS PIQUE

Last updated : 02 July 2004 By Editor
United have signed Barcelona defender Gerard Pique. The Spanish Under-17
international who can also play at left-back, rejected the offer of a new
contract at the Nou Camp in favour of a move to Old Trafford.

As of yet no fee has been disclosed but it's widely reported that he has signed
a five-year deal.

His full name is Gerard Pique Bernabeu, and he says Sir Alex Ferguson's
record of giving youngsters a chance is one of the reasons he joined United.

He told Barcelona-based daily newspaper El Mundo Deportivo: 'In England,
age does not matter so much, but in Spain there is a structure and there are
very few chances to break through.

'There have been seven years of my life where I have learned and enjoyed
my football with Barca and I would not change that for anything in the world.

'It took a lot to make the decision to leave Barca. I was very happy there and
had never thought about leaving.

'But after looking at the options and speaking with my parents and my
grandfather - who have also helped me a lot - it was a suitable time for me. A
new phase of my life begins now.'

It's expected that he will spend at least the first year in the Academy.