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PSG sign defensive duo
http://fedenerazzurra.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/balanta.jpg
Eder Alvarez Balanta (above) is one of two defensive signings PSG have announced today, the centre back from Colombia signing from River Plate.
Paris Saint-Germain have signed two defensive players, one being Eder Alvarez Balanta from River Plate, the other being Serge Aurier from fellow French side Toulouse.
Balanta, pictured above, is a Colombian international who has made three appearances for his country at the age of 21. He has spent his senior career at just one club so far in the club he signed for PSG from, River Plate. However, as a youth player, he was found by Academica back in 2010, but released soon after and found by River Plate. This year, he was called up to the Colombian squad to go to the World Cup in Brazil, and as a whole, his side were successful, reaching the quarter finals before being knocked out in an unlucky match against the hosts.
In a senior career that has been going on since 2011, he has played 38 games for River Plate in the three years of football, scoring two goals, not a bad achievement for a young centre back. He made his senior debut against Racing Club, and scored his first senior goal in his third game of football, netting against Godoy Cruz. This was followed by a goal against Quilmes Atlético Club in the very next game, and the future looked bright for the Colombian star. However, no more goals happened to follow, yet some outstanding performances in the Colombian league impressed teams like Barcelona.
The Colombian defender has joined the club for a small fee of £7.5m, and the signing was revealed via Twitter today by the official Paris Saint-Germain page soon after an English rumour page announced that the deal was done.
Football Rumours Worldwide @FRW2k14
Paris Saint-Germain have signed Colombian defender Eder Alvarez Balanta from River Plate for £7.5m after the 21 year-old was seen training with the club this morning. #Balanta #ParisSG
Paris Saint-Germain Official @PSGOfficial
We are delighted to announce the signing of Colombian talent Eder Alvarez Balanta, who signs for £7.5m from River Plate. Unfortunately, we could not make a celebratory graphic for the deal as it was revealed before we planned. #Balanta #ParisSG
Balanta wasn't the only player to join PSG within the last few days, as highly rated Ivorian right back Serge Aurier has been revealed as a new signing for Les Rouges-et-Bleus, joining the club for a fee of £16m. However, most of this will be paid in £3m installments for the next four years, meaning there's still money left in the bank for more deals if manager Ronaldinho so wishes.
Aurier, who has spent his career at clubs like Lens and Toulouse, impressed all at the World Cup in Brazil, and has made 11 appearances for Ivory Coast, not a bad feat for a 21 year-old. In 2009, he joined the Lens senior squad and ended up making 40 appearances in three seasons, before being poached by Toulouse. For the side in purple, he scored eight goals in seventy games, and it was this that lead to Ivory Coast calling him up to the squad for Brazil in the first place.
Ronaldinho spoke about the two deals he had completed, this being the only way the Aurier deal was confirmed, saying "Balanta and Aurier are two great prospects, so to get them for £23m between them is nothing but a steal, in my opinion. They will fit right into the squad as first team or back-up players, but rest assured that both will be seeing frequent game time across the season."
Both defenders spoke about signing for the French giants, with Balanta saying these words "Para se inscrever para um gigante europeu como PSG é uma grande conquista, espero ter uma longa carreira na França, especialmente para jogar com pessoas como Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva e David Luiz. Eu não posso esperar para o meu sonho se tornar realidade aqui no PSG."
Which translates to "To sign for a European giant like PSG is a great achievement, I hope to have a long career in France, especially to play with people like Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and David Luiz. I cannot wait for my dream to come true here at PSG."
Aurier said "It's a big move, coming to PSG, but I know that I need to keep my cool and not be put under too much pressure, I do not want to be another Fernando Torres or Andy Carroll, I want to get on with my job and do well with my career, something I know I have the ability to do.
PSG have signed defensive duo Eder Alvarez Balanta and Serge Aurier from River Plate and Toulouse for £7.5m and £16m respectively. The signing of Balanta was revealed by a rumour page before it was revealed by the club, so there were no graphics involved in the Twitter reveal, and Aurier's arrival was announced in a shock interview with Ronaldinho when just Balanta was supposed to be unveiled. Balanta was excited about his time in PSG colours, while Aurier wanted to focus and not be a big-money flop like Fernando Torres.
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: Thank you, I'm glad you think he's a good signing, you'll see how well he does for me 
