Benfica Sign Spanish International and Villarreal Player Joan Capdevila

Popular left-back Joan Capdevilla has left the club he joined in 2007 Villarreal, switching to Portugese club Benfica. The signing proves to be the second defender that Benfica have added to their ranks in the week, signing Equezial Garay from Real Madrid also.

The defender has signed a two-year deal with the club, keeping him in Portugal until 2013—unless a club is willing to pay his €20 million release clause. The World Cup-winning defender enjoyed a solid career at Villarreal, making 140 appearances for the club and scoring 15 goals.

Recenlty he experienced a string of games on the bench, seeing Jose Catala replace him in his own left-back position. Nevertheless, Benfica identified the 33-year-old as a target, and will possibly serve as the club where he will end his career.

Remarkably Capdevilla never won a trophy at Villarreal, mainly because of the complete dominance of Real Madrid and Barcelona. Capdevilla may prove to be the second player to leave Villarreal within the week with Giuseppe Rossi strongly considering a move to Turin giants Juventus. With Rossi's agent talking up the deal, Villarreal may just have a few places to fill before the commencement of the 2011/2012 La Liga.

He will most likely serve as a replacement for Fabio Coentrao, after he left for Madrid after Los Galacticos offered big money to lure the highly rated Portuguese man to the Bernabeu.