It's Chico time for SwansPosted on: Tue 10 Jul 2012
Swansea City have completed the signing of Spanish central defender Jose Manuel Flores from Genoa for £2m, plus potential add-ons.
The 25-year-old, better known as Chico, completed a medical yesterday and agreed a three-year contract, subject to international clearance.
"I'm very happy to be here,'' explained Chico. "I know I am joining a club that has been growing over the last few years and is still ambitious to go even higher.
"Having played in La Liga (Spain) and Serie A (Italy), two great leagues, it's a dream come true to play in the Premier League, one of the best, if not the best, in the world.''
Chico also confirmed that new Swans boss Michael Laudrup was also a key factor in persuading him to come to Wales after playing under the Great Dane at Mallorca last season.
"He was one of the main reasons I signed,'' explained Chico. "He knows me as a person and a player, so I was honoured when the call came.
"I believe the manager will be good for Swansea and they have done extremely well to get him. Swansea's way of playing is the same style as he wants to play the game. He is the right person to take this club forward.''
Chico, who will also add a physical presence to the side at 6ft 2in, also buys into the Swansea philosophy, adding: "Being brought up in Spain, I have the same culture of possession and passing football. I like to play from the back, come forward with the ball, and add to the possession game.
"I'm really looking forward to it. I have been studying Swansea on the internet and I know I am joining a club with passionate supporters who are very close to the players.''
Chico's career started as a youth player with hometown club Cadiz CF in 2005. He also spent loan spells at Racing Club Portuense and Barcelona B, helping the Catalans gain promotion to level three.
The defender then signed with Cadiz neighbours Union Deportiva Almeria to help the club maintain its top flight status in La Liga after a 13th place finish.
Having made his debut for the Spanish Under-21 side, he signed a five-year contract for Genoa in Italy for ?4 million in July 2010.
A year later he agreed a one-year loan deal with RCD Mallorca where he teamed up with the current Swans boss, making 33 appearances.
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