Soccer/Football

The Liga champions waged a long battle to secure the services of the 21-year-old striker, who revealed on Saturday night he had chosen to join Barcelona from Santos.

Speaking after his side's 2-0 win at Espanyol, Vilanova said: "I'd like to thank the club and the scouting staff who spotted the possibility of the fact this player would become a great one.

"I think other clubs perhaps weren't aware of that fact and it's made things easier now, because if we'd waited perhaps we wouldn't have been able to compete with other clubs - I think he has received bigger offers from other clubs.

"I'd like to congratulate the player for picking the sporting option rather than the financial one - I'm sure there were other clubs who could offer him a lot more than we can."
Neymar, whose transfer fee has not been disclosed, will sign a five-year contract at the Nou Camp, with the player himself revealing this will likely be done on Monday.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/10082393/Neymar-joined-Barcelona-and-rejected-Real-Madrid-for-footballing-reasons-not-money-says-Tito-Vilanova.html