Banega rushed in by Valencia

8 January 2008 | 11:27 - PA Sport

Ever Banega took part in his first training session with Valencia on Monday following his arrival from Boca Juniors.

 

Valencia confirmed on Saturday they had reached an agreement with Boca for the 19-year-old Argentinian midfielder, who reports suggest could cost the Spanish club around 18 million euros ($A30.31million)..

Banega, whose deal ties him to Valencia for the next five and a half years, trained alongside the rest of the team that started Sunday's goalless league draw against Levante, although Spain duo David Villa and David Silva were both absent from the session due to niggles.

Valencia's next match will see them face Real Betis on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT) in the first leg of their Copa del Rey last 16 tie.

Banega was subsequently named in an 18-man squad for the Copa del Rey match against Betis in Seville, along with both Villa and Silva.

However, missing from the squad were Nikola Zigic, Fernando Morientes, Marco Caneira, Miguel, Alexis, David Albelda, Santiago Canizares, Miguel Angel Angulo and Manuel Fernandes for a variety of reasons.