Zapata joins Villarreal

Tuesday 12 July, 2011
Udinese’s Zapata joins Villarreal



After almost 200 games for Udinese, Cristian Zapata has left the club for Spanish outfit Villarreal.

The Bianconeri have confirmed the transfer on Tuesday morning with a short note on their official website.

The Colombian, 25, joined Udinese in the summer of 2005 from Deportivo Cali in his homeland.

An imposing central defender, who can play as a right-back, Zapata was also tracked by Liverpool this summer.

Financial details regarding the switch have not been released.

Zapata played in 190 games for the Stadio Friuli outfit in all competitions, scoring five goals in the process.

Great signing by Villarreal ...Top defender ...I'm a bit surprised he didn't go to a bigger club though...

Udinese are idots and I hope they get relegated next year. They deserve it more than Samp did. Zapata, Inler, Sanchez next.

Wow, what a Signing for Villarreal, Zapata will help them a lot.

Cordoba

durf, well edited article there

transfer fee?

What are you guys on about ?

Real value there, I think they can both benefit.

The Fonz wrote:What are you guys on about ?

you sly dog you!

You got me!

Pretty epic signing for Villarreal. They lack depth in defense but when all players are fit, they do have a good defense. Gonzalo Rodriguez is easily one of the best defenders in La Liga and together with Zapata I can only see him and Villarreal become better.

Now if they can only keep Rossi and get a quality midfielder to boot ...

WTF?
Amazing signing, I wanted him at madrrid a few years ago...

Udinese are now a joke and seem to be a selling club like Samp.

They do not deserve the CL with this disgraceful behaviour towards their fans.

Stupid Udinese, but even more stupid Bayern who are in dire need of defenders and did not act.

pozzo is dismantling udinese..not at all an ambitious owner..

and @arquitecto samp dint sell their players before cl prelimnaries..

Udinese is not Napoli who got a target of becoming a regular top 4 team. They are feeder club who's main goal is to finish mid table or staying alive.

Is Udinese in financial trouble? What's with them selling off all of it's players? Didn't they just qualify for the Champions League and they sell like they are relegated...what gives?

Great signing for Villarreal btw, hope they keep Rossi and keep improving

Villareal have got quite an impressive squad, shame they're in a league with Barca and Madrid

Santi Cazorla
Guiseppe Rossi
Capdevila
Borja Valero
Zapata
Nilmar

All good players

Totally agree about Villarreal's squad, can't wait to see them in the CL next season.

I can only see Di Natale and Isla being stand outs for Udinese in the CL next year.

I had high hopes for Udinese but not if they sell all their best players

WTF is Udinese doing, come on men. I understand you being a selling aclub, but this is ridicilous. You will disgrace Seria A at the CL in this rate.

And @other clubs, couldn't you see a value buy here. Inter, you have a good but aging defence, you should have acted. Bayren too.

Inter have sign Jonathon apparently
Plus theres Nagatomo and Rannochia who are pretty new-ish

They're slowly getting there

Great signing, top defender.Villareal always had defence problems, lets see how he settles,..