FC Barcelona have announced that they have agreed to sign Villarreal's Uruguayan central defender Martin Cáceres for €16.5 million. He has a release clause of €50 million.

Cáceres, 21, only signed for Villarreal last summer and was immediately sent out on loan to Recreativo de Huelva for a year where he impressed and played a huge part in their survival from relegation to Liga BBVA (Spanish second division). Cáceres is the second defender to join the club this summer following Gerard Piqué's return to the club from European champions Manchester United. Like Piqué, Cáceres can also play as a holding midfielder and as a fullback when required.

This season he has played in 34 out of Recreativo's 38 league games, netting 4 goals in the process.

Zambrotta departure

Meanwhile, Italian side AC Milan have announced that they have signed Gianluca Zambortta from Barça. There has been no confirmation from FC Barcelona about the transfer of the player, nor have Milan disclosed a transfer fee or the length of the contract the player has signed with the club.