Following Eidur Gudjohnsen's move from Chelsea earlier in the summer, Italian world champion Gianluca Zambrotta and French finalist Lilian Thuram became the second and third additions to the FC Barcelona squad.
The former Juventus duo will join the team just before Barca will go on their Mexico and US-Tour.

FC Barcelona Blog was the first to report the brilliant news after the official announcement was made on Barca´s website.


The profile of Gianluca Zambrotta and Lilan Thuram


Gianluca Zambrotta


With securing the services of World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta, Barca made one of the most outstanding reinforcements and added a lot of value to the squad.
Gianluca Zambrotta, once a midfielder, is a versatile, right footed full back, who can play left or right and can contribute to the attack. Zambrotta is one of the best all-rounders in the game.


Zambrotta made his international debut at 21 against Norway. Zambrotta missed the final o0f Euro 2000 when Italy lost against France due to a red card in the semi final against Holland (coach Frank Rijkaard). Zambrotta made up for this disappointment by winning the World Cup this year against the same opponent, France. Zambrotta also played for Italy in the World Cup 2002 and Euro 20004.


Zambrotta started his professional football career for his home town club Como Calcio in Serie B and C. He was then transferred to AS Bari in Serie A before he joined Juventus in a 15 mill. Euro transfer. , with whom he made his Serie A debut in 1997, soon attracting the interest of bigger clubs. Juventus stepped in with a 15 million euro offer. Zambrotta won the Scudetto first time in 2001/2002 and added a further 2 championships later on. It was new Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello, who turned Zambrotta into a defender.

So far, Zambrotta only played once in Camp Nou in 2002-03, when Juventus eliminated FC Barcelona in the Champions League.


Lilian Thuram


Veteran defender Lilian Thuram, already 34 years old, is considered as one of the best defenders in Europe. His outstanding form in the World Cup help the French national side to reach the final this summer and confirms that he is still at his best. The French international was named in FIFA´s World Cup selection of best players this summer.
The versatile French defender can play as a centre back or full back and is a true professional. Thuram has a strong character, and always gives it one hundred per cent, and has managed to stay at the peak of his career, even at an age of 34.

His greatest achievement surely was winning the World Cup in 1998. Thuram has a strong character, and always gives it one hundred per cent, and has managed to stay at the peak of his career at the age of 34, being named in the ideal XI at The Germany 2006 World Cup.


Lilian Thuram started his professional career with Monaco in 1990-91. In 1996-97 he joined Seria A team AC Parma in Italy, where he played for five seasons before moving on to Juventus, where he has continued to be one of the most reliable defenders in the game.


The new FC Barcelona star is the most capped French international of all time. Thuram has played 121 internationals, the first on August 17, 1994 against the Czech Republic and the last, of course, on July 9 against Italy in the World Cup Finals. He has won two major international trophies, the World Cup in 1998 and also Euro 2000.


Zambrotta and Thuram were both in the best eleven of the recently concluded World Cup. Zambrotta was also being chased by Chelsea, Real Madrid and Milan, while Londoners Arsenal and Tottenham were reportedly keen on Thuram.


Their signing takes Barcelona's squad size to 22 ahead of a very demanding season, in which they will challenge 6 major trophies.