Villarreal have confirmed the signing of Portuguese centre-back Ruben Semedo from Liga NOS side Sporting Clube de Portugal.
The 23-year-old defender was previously tracked by Premier League returnees Newcastle United, but they missed out on his signature, with their La Liga counterparts successfully luring Semedo to Spain.
Villarreal had been in the market for a new centre-back following Mateo Musacchio’s move to Serie A side AC Milan.
“Villarreal CF has come to an agreement with Sporting Clube de Portugal for the transfer of defender Rúben Semedo, who will play for the Yellows for the next five seasons,” a statement read on the club’s official website.
“The 23-year-old, Portuguese defender is one of the most promising centre-backs in European football and a key player for Portugal U21, who he is still playing for because he started the European Championships qualifying phase within the age limit for the U21 category.
“Rúben Semedo will join Portugal U21s to face Serbia, Spain and Macedonia, for which reason his presentation will take place in preseason, when he returns to work with the team.
“Rúben Alfonso Borges Semedo started his career in the youth categories of the Lisbon club for whom he made his debut in the top flight in 2013. In the 2014/15 campaign, Rubén went to play on loan at CF Reus Deportiu, and in the 15/16 season to Portuguese side Vitoria Setúbal.
“In January 2016, Sporting, plagued by injuries, brought him back to play and he made 14 appearances for the Green and Whites. Last season, he became one of the regulars in the back four, playing 31 matches for Sporting de Portugal (24 in the Portuguese league, 6 in the UEFA Champions League and 1 in the Portugal cup).
“Rúben is a defender of great stature and physical strength, quick over short distances and very strong in the air and, occasionally, he can also play as a defensive centre midfielder.”
Semedo’s ability to play the ball out from the back was a determining factor in Villarreal’s decision to secure his services, with a 90.5% pass success rate the joint-best return in Liga NOS last season.
