Coutinho: I can't wait to get started

Philippe Coutinho is now officially an FC Barcelona player. The Brazilian signed on the dotted line during his official presentation on a busy Monday in the city of Barcelona. The day began with a medical at Barcelona Hospital and at the Club’s Medical Centre and then followed the signing of the contract and his first appearance on the field at Camp Nou in a Barça shirt.

The final event on the packed agenda was a press conference at Barça’s famous stadium in the presence of more than 150 journalists from over 40 different media outlets. Coutinho explained his “anxiousness to begin playing for Barça,” a team for which he confessed to have “dreamt many times about scoring a goal in the shirt.”

“It’s really emotional to wear the shirt of the most important club in the world,” continued the Brazilian international. The midfielder added: “I never had any doubts about signing for the club and it’s an honour to be able to play alongside my heroes. I hope to enjoy it and win trophies.”

More from Coutinho’s press conference:

Messi and Luis Suárez

“I will be lucky to say that I have played alongside Messi and Suárez. Leo Messi is a spectacular player. I am really happy to be able to play with Luis Suárez once again. It’s an honour and he is a good friend who has helped me a lot.”

Why Barça?

“It was my dream to come here and these chances are unique. It’s easy to choose Barça because they are the best team in the world. They have the best players and my heroes play here too.”

Relationship with Neymar

“I am good friends with Neymar and we have known each other since we were kids. We play together for the national side and he told me great things about the club. He told me that the dressing room was incredible, as did Luis Suárez and Paulinho.”

The Champions League

“Now I can’t play in the Champions League but I have five years more and I hopeto play in the Champions League as many seasons as possible.”

Position on the field

“I want to make the fans happy, therefor my position is down to the coach. What I have to do is work hard to help the team.”