MADRID, June 25 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona confirmed on Wednesday the signing of Chilean international goalkeeper Claudio Bravo from Real Sociedad.
Bravo, who is currently at the World Cup in Brazil with the national team, will cost Barcelona 12 million Euros (around 18 million US dollars) and has agreed a four-season deal with the Catalan club.
He will provide competition to Ter Stegen, who was signed from Borussia Munchengladbach earlier the summer and Bravo's arrival means the position of goalkeeper has been totally renewed at the club following the departure of Victor Valdes and veteran Jose Pinto, who has not had his contract with the club extended.
Bravo brings with him a wealth of BBVA Primera Liga experience having joined Real Sociedad in 2006 and spending eight seasons with the club, although three of those were in the second division following their relegation in 2007.
In principal he has been bought to provide cover for Stegen, but coach Luis Enrique will decide which of the two goalkeepers will start the season as first choice after observing both in pre- season.
The sale of the goalkeeper comes just one day after Real Sociedad announced they had reached an agreement with Arsenal to maintain striker Carlos Vela and the money Bravo's move bring in covers that the club has spent on Vela.