Tue Jul 1 17:39:46 2008

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Brazilian defender Alves joins Barcelona

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Barcelona, Spain (Sports Network) - Brazil international defender Daniel Alves will leave Sevilla to join Barcelona, the clubs announced Tuesday.

Alves, 25, is a right back who can also play in midfield. He played at Sevilla since 2002. Alves signed a four-year contract with Barcelona and his transfer fee is reportedly around $45 million.

Barcelona already signed Uruguayan international Martin Caceres from Villarreal and Spain's Gerard Pique from Manchester United to bolster its defense.

Barca, which is overhauling its team after finishing third in Spain's La Liga, needed to replace defenders Gianluca Zambrotta and Lilian Thuram, who have both left the club this offseason.