05.07.2007, 12:30
ROCAS LEAVES PORTLAND TO JOIN BARCELONA

Portland San Antonio officially announced today that Albert Rocas will be leaving for pastures new and as of next season will be playing for FC Barcelona. The Catalonian player has signed a new contract with Barcelona after three years playing for Portland.

ROCAS LEAVES PORTLAND TO JOIN BARCELONA

Portland San Antonio officially announced today that Albert Rocas will be leaving for pastures new and as of next season will be playing for FC Barcelona. The Catalonian player has signed a new contract with Barcelona after three years playing for Portland. Nevertheless, a price had to be paid – since as the Rocas-PSA contract was to end in 2010, the Catalonian club had to pay 200.000 Euros to release Rocas from this agreement. His place in the Portland roster is covered by David Rodriguez Carvajal and Fernando Hernandez, however, this move remains one of the most important at the start of this 2007/2008 season.

Four important seasons in Pamplona

Albert Rocas leaves Pamplona after four very important years. Having arrived in Pamplona from BM Valladolid at the age of 22; this was a dream come true for Albert who now had the opportunity to play against international stars such as Jackson Richardson or Ivano Balic.

Rocas was growing as a player, it showed in his performances. He had earned his place on the Spanish National Team. In fact he was part of the winning delegation that won the World Championship in 2005 in Tunisia.

Rocas has had some great moments with Portland. In his first season in Pamplona, Portland won the ASOBAL League, one of the greatest moments for Albert. But with the good, comes also the bad; Rocas had his fair share of injuries such as the damage to his shoulder that kept him out of the European Championship.

Barcelona reinforced with Portland Players

Rocas is the third player who leaves Pamplona this season for the Barcelona. Kaspar and Lozano were the ones to pave the way. Albert Rocas has never hidden his empathy towards the Catalonians as he is a great fan “Cule” of the football team FC Barcelona. Rocas will join Nøddesbo, Gull and Garabaya, the new summer signings of Barcelona and they will be led under the expert tutelage of Coach Manuel Cadenas.

TEXT: Fernando Urra Goñi