Valencia’s Argentinian defender Roberto Ayala has agreed to join rivals Villarreal on a three-year deal at the end of the season.
Villarreal have confirmed that the 33-year-old, who is available on a freee transfer, had signed a contract with them until June 2010.
Ayala will set a new Argentine record of 107 appearances when he leads his side out for their friendly against France in Paris on Wednesday.
Last August he said he wanted to leave Valencia after accusing the president and sporting director Amadeo Carboni of reneging on his contract renewal.
Ayala joined Valencia in 2000 from Milan and since then he has helped the club reach the Champions League final in 2001, win the Spanish league title in 2002 and win both the league and UEFA Cup in 2004.
