Van Bommel will bolster Barca, says Rijkaard

Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel is the perfect reinforcement for Barcelona's championship-winning team, according to coach Frank Rijkaard.

"He's a top-class player with a winning mentality," Rijkaard was quoted as saying in sports daily El Mundo Deportivo yesterday.

The 28-year-old, whose contract at PSV Eindhoven expires at the end of the season, has signed a three-year deal with Barcelona who wrapped up their first league title in six years last Saturday.

"Barca have been following him for some time and this seemed to be the perfect time to sign him," said fellow Dutchman Rijkaard. "Van Bommel gets forward and scores goals, but he is also a team player and will be very welcome here."

Van Bommel is the 17th Dutchman to join the Barcelona first team squad, a tradition that began back in 1973 when Johan Cruyff signed for the club from Ajax.

The Dutch contingent reached its peak when Louis van Gaal was at the helm in the late 1990s, but there was a major exodus at the end of last season with Patrick Kluivert, Phillip Cocu, Michael Reiziger, Marc Overmars and Edgar Davids all leaving the club.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst, the only Dutchman to remain in the squad, said Van Bommel was a welcome arrival. "He's a quality player and a great person. He could be a fantastic reinforcement for the team because he will bring experience, attacking power and hard work to the midfield. He's what you would call a total midfielder."

Van Bommel will add depth to the Barca midfield where he is likely to have to compete with Xavi for a place alongside Deco and Edmilson or Thiago Motta.

Van Bommel joined PSV in 1999 and helped them to four league titles and the semi-finals of this season's Champions League. He is scheduled to make his last appearance for the club in the Dutch Cup final against Willem II on May 29.