Brentford have captured the signing of Ecuadorean forward Joel Valencia for £1.8million as confirmed on their official website.
Valencia has signed for the Championship outfit from Polish side Gliwicki Klub Sportowy Piast Gliwice who are the champions in the Poland league.
He has signed a four-year-contract after he completed a medical yesterday with the Bees. The winger helped the Polish side win their title for the first time in their history and his performances in attacking midfield earned him the Polish Player of the Year award.
He scored six goals in 33 games last term and has now made the move to English football as Brentford look to push themselves further up the table in the upcoming campaign.
Brentford’s Co-Director of Football, said: “With his outstanding technical skills, Joel is a joy to watch on the pitch, but at the same time he is a very effective player who masters many parts of the game, both offensively and defensively.”
“I am pleased it has been possible to sign him, and I am sure that Brentford fans will fall in love with him very quickly.”
The Bees boss Thomas Frank also expressed his delight at securing Valencia. “Joel had an excellent season last season and was one of the main reasons Piast Gliwice won the league for the first time.”
“He produced goals and assists and also created lots of other chances. His output in terms of goals and assist can be even higher and he will develop as a player with us.”
Despite Valencia being a relative unknown in the English game this could prove to be a shrewd signing for the Bees due to the uncertainty surrounding the future of fellow forward Neal Maupay.
They will be looking to retain Maupay but with Valencia they now have another player to add to their attacking ranks.
