Joaquin is set to return to his boyhood club on a three year deal. It is the first time in nine years that he will play for Real Betis. The Spanish winger left Betis for Valencia and is now returning to the club where he grew up.
Messy ending between Joaquin and Fiorentina
The deal is set to be around a fee of 2M Euros as Fiorentina were seeking a way for Joaquin to leave Italy. This is coming off the heels of Fiorentina signing Jakub Blaszczykowski on a loan deal. Considering that both players are similar in position, it was an easy choice for La Viola to move Joaquin.
It was a very messy ending between Joaquin and the Italian club. A month ago, he and his agent said publicly that he would like to return to his boyhood club before the transfer deadline. He told the media that he "deserved to go home" and gave everything he could in a Fiorentina jersey.
Though it sometimes makes a good coming home story, it was not a good professional move for the player. While requesting a move to your homeclub is acceptable, coming out and making it a bigger scence through the media than it seems is not a good way to do it.
Helping Betis survive in La Liga
After being relegated two seasons ago, Betis won La Liga Adelante and are now back in the top flight. Joaquin will be used down the wings and as a veteran presence in the locker room.
Real Betis will be looking to emulate one of their best seasons in recent La Liga history when they finished 7th in the 2012-13 season. Joaquin will provide depth and veteran savy down the wings but he is not a splash signing that will make people turn their heads.