New signing Rakitic presented at Barcelona

Madrid, July 2 (IANS) FC Barcelona officially presented new signing Ivan Rakitic to the fans and the press at the Camp Nou Stadium Tuesday.

The Croatian international, who cost around 20 million euros from Sevilla in June, will wear the number four shirt, which was previously worn by Cesc Fabregas and by former midfielder and coach, Pep Guardiola, reports Xinhua.

"It's special to wear the same number as Guardiola. He made history as a player and a coach and I hope I can have the same success as he had," said Rakitic, who is already preparing for pre-season.

"I have spoken to (coach) Luis Enrique. We all know what he was like as a player and we have a very good and positive conversation," said the midfielder, who added he was willing to play in any position he was asked to.

Rakitic played in an advanced midfield role with Sevilla, but could drop into a more defensive role with Barca.

"I played that role with Schalke 04 so I can do what the coach asks of me," said Rakitic.

Meanwhile Barcelona Director of Sport, Andoni Zubizarreta spoke about the current situation at the club and flatly ruled out a sale of Spain international, Pedro Rodriguez.

Barca have been linked with controversial Liverpool and Uruguay striker Luis Suarez in recent days, but Zubizarreta would not be drawn on the player whose World Cup ended following a controversial biting incident against Italy's Giorgio Chiellini

"He had the personality to admit he made a mistake and that honours him. Everyone knows he's a great player, but he's at Liverpool," he commented.

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