Barcelona have signed Spain striker David Villa from league rivals Valencia for $49 million, further boosting an already potent forward line.

The 28-year-old goalscorer will be in Barcelona on Thursday evening and will undergo a medical test on Friday morning, the Spanish champions said on their official Web site.

Villa scored 107 goals in five seasons for Valencia and lines up alongside Liverpool marksman Fernando Torres in the Spanish national team.

He was the tournament's leading scorer with four goals when Spain won the European Championship in 2008.

Catalan giants Barca are looking to strengthen their side ahead of next season -- after sealing the defence of the league title on Sunday with a record haul of 99 points.

Villa joins an attack which already features world player of the year Lionel Messi, Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, France captain Thierry Henry and Spanish youngsters Pedro and Bojan Krkic.

Villa was linked to Barcelona last season but after the two clubs failed to reach a deal he stayed on at cash-strapped Valencia for another season.

Another successful season, in which Villa scored 29 goals in all competitions to help Valencia finish third to secure a place in the Champions League, persuaded Barcelona to move once again for the Spanish international striker.

Meanwhile, club president Joan Laporta has commented on rumors that Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is to make a return to the club he played for as a youth team player.

Fabregas has once again been strongly linked with leaving Arsenal amid media speculation that he wants to play once again for his home town club and Laporta said: "It's remarkable that a player should commit himself in this way (if the reports are true)

"If the club technical staff believe we need to make the extra effort and sign him, we'll speak to Arsenal," Laporta added.

Barcelona have also confirmed that Argentine international defender Gabriel Milito will remain at the club after signing a new contract until 2012.

I wonder what criteria are used to ensure posts on this site.

I posted this exact news yesterday (with a source) and somehow, my post disappeared.

Anyway, As a Valencia fan, We'll miss him

A sad day for us Valencia fans. We all knew it was coming though. Do something, Emery. Replace him. And keep Silva!

Villa tried for us gan, but in the end, he deserves much better. And at 28, time isn't on his side. The best striker in the world, has joined the best team in the world. With good service, he'll score over 30 next season. I believe him.

AMUNT!

ETO is making their Ass sweat.If them like ,make dem buy ASO ROCK or ASO VILLA.Barca will never win a double in the next 10years.IBRABRACADBRA ZLATAN TODAY,VILLA TOMORROW MAYBE MIKEL OBI NEXT TOMORROW

LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLZ
I AM ENJOYING THIS

hax:

A sad day for us Valencia fans. We all knew it was coming though. Do something, Emery. Replace him. And keep Silva!

Villa tried for us gan, but in the end, he deserves much better. And at 28, time isn't on his side. The best striker in the world, has joined the best team in the world. With good service, he'll score over 30 next season. I believe him.

AMUNT!

Im with you on that. Valencia is a club, Bigger than Villa.

I believe Villa deserves more.

The sad part is that his fee will be used to service our debts.

Anyway, Didnt know there were more Nigerian fans out there.

hollandis:

ETO is making their backside sweat.If them like ,make dem buy ASO ROCK or ASO VILLA.Barca will never win a double in the next 10years.IBRABRACADBRA ZLATAN TODAY,VILLA TOMORROW MAYBE MIKEL OBI NEXT TOMORROW

LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLZ
I AM ENJOYING THIS

I can assure you that Villa will be more productive in Barca than Eto or Ibra.