Transfers of Thursday, 6 August 2009

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Derek Boateng unveilled at Gatafe

Midfielder Derek Boateng has started his career in Spain after being unveiled as a player of La Liga side Getafe on Thursday.

Hundreds of fans of the Spanish side turned up at the Coliseum Alfonzo Perez to watch Boateng touch the ball for the first at the stadium.

The 26-year-old was swamped by the media as he was introduced as the player to turnaround the fortunes of the club.

Getafe barely escaped relegation last season and they swooped for Boateng from German side Cologne to help revive their fortunes.

The Ghanaian revealed his happiness in moving to the Spanish top-flight, insisting the game in the country suits his style of play.

"I am happy to play for a team in a league that iua very competitive and nice as the Spanish league,” Boateng said at the press conference.

“I am glad to be a player of Getafe as the team has always attracted me and they play good and competitive football.

“I think all the players here are a very good and I am also happy to work with coach (Michel)," he added.

Getafe sports director Toni Munoz revealed the club’s keen interest in the Ghanaian’s potential and is confident Boateng will live up to expectation.

“If I was a betting person I will for sure bet that Boateng will be successful here at Getafe,” Munoz said.

“We were looking for a player with strength and good technique in midfielder and we have got it in Boateng.”

Boateng completed his move to the La Liga side on Friday from German club FC Cologne after passing a medical.

The Ghanaian spent only six months with the Bundesliga side but decided to leave with the arrival of Portuguese midfielder Maniche.

He wants to be available for national team selection and has targeted a second world cup appearance in South Africa next year.

Boateng's contract at Cologne would have ended in the summer of 2013.