New signing Ibrahim Afellay was presented to the media on Friday by Spanish
champions Barcelona, and said that he was "very happy" to have joined the
Catalan giants.

Speaking in reasonable Spanish, the Netherlands World Cup
midfielder said: "I am very happy to join the best club in the world. I will
wear this shirt with pride and respect."

Affelay, 24, was signed by Barca
from PSV Eindhoven for three million euros (3.93 million dollars), a low price
for such a promising player but due to the fact that his PSV contract was due to
expire in June 2011.

Barca normally do not sign players in the winter
transfer window, but coach Pep Guardiola is keen to strengthen his talented but
thin squad.

Affelay, who has signed a four-year contract, said that
"there are great players here but I am going to show what I am capable of. It is
an honour for me to be here."

When asked why he had chosen Barca ahead of
the other clubs that were interested in him, he replied: "Since I was a boy I
wanted to play for Barca. For me it is a dream to be here."

Online polls
in Catalan papers Sport and Mundo Deportivo showed, on Friday, that almost all
Barca fans are pleased with his arrival.

Sport described the signing as
"without risk", whilst Mundo Deportivo claimed that Affelay "has the correct
level" to play for Barca. He could make his debut in the January 2 home game
against lowly Levante.

Barca are two points above Real Madrid at the top
of La Liga, and in the Champions League round of 16 will face Arsenal.