PLAYER PROFILE

Gerard Pique

Position: Defence

Height: 6'3

Weight: 12st 10lbs

Date of Birth: 1987-02-02 Barcelona, Spain

Gerard Pique

Manchester United completed the signing of Barcelona's teenage defender Gerard Pique in July 2004.

United beat off competition from Arsenal to sign the 17-year-old who agreed a five-year deal with Sir Alex Ferguson's side after spending the last seven years at the Nou Camp.

"There have been seven years of my life where I have learned and enjoyed my football with Barca and I would not change that for anything in the world," he told El Mundo Deportivo.

"But a new phase of my life begins now.

"It took a lot to make the decision to leave Barca. I was very happy here and had never thought about changing club but, after looking at the options, speaking with my parents and my grandfather, who has also helped me a lot, it was a suitable time for me."

The teenager has not ruled out a return to the Catalan giants adding: "I hope the doors will always be open (to a return)."

"It would please me to return to wear the Azulgrana shirt."

"In England, the age does not matter so much while here in Spain there is a structure and there are very few chances to break through."

However, Pique has predictably found it just as hard to break through at Old Trafford, though he showed signs of progress in 2005/06, putting in some assured performances in the cup competitions, and will hope to continue to impress when he gets the chance. In July 2006, he played for Spain in the European Under19s Championship, helping them win the tournament. When he returned to Old Trafford it wasn't for long, as he was sent out to Real Zaragoza on loan.