Barcelona have confirmed that they have agreed a fee of 40 million euros with Valencia for Spain striker David Villa.

The Spain international has long been linked with a move from Los Che after five seasons at the Mestalla and has signed a four-year deal.

Villa, who will undergo a medical on Friday, is the first summer capture for the Catalan club, with Cesc Fabregas also rumoured to be angling for a move back to Barcelona.

A statement on Barcelona's official website, www.fcbarcelona.cat, read: "FC Barcelona and Valencia CF closed a 40 million euro deal for Spanish striker David Villa on Wednesday morning.

"The Spanish international is due in Barcelona on Thursday evening and will have a medical on Friday morning.

"Villa will be officially unveiled as a Barca player at 1330 in the Paris Room of the Camp Nou.

"He'll then make an appearance on the Camp Nou pitch. The stadium doors will be opened to the public."

The 28-year-old scored 107 goals in 166 league matches for Valencia after establishing himself with Real Zaragoza.

He is a regular in Spain's first-team and was a member of the Euro 2008-winning squad.

Villa's arrival is likely to lead to increased speculation over the futures of Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Outgoing president Joan Laporta on Tuesday claimed the club were "satisfied" with the 21-goal contribution of Ibrahimovic in his first season since arriving from Inter Milan last summer.

Henry appears on the verge of a move to Major League Soccer, with Laporta also revealing there was "a lot of interest" in the France forward from the United States.

Villa, top scorer at Euro 2008 despite missing the final through injury, was heavily linked with a move away from the Mestalla last summer to ease Valencia's financial troubles.

He reportedly attracted interest from clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea as well as Barca, but ultimately stayed put and insisted he was happy to do so.

"There is no train missed because all I have achieved is because of Valencia and the Spain national team so I do not think any train has passed," he said last July.

"I had the desire to remain here and I want to spend all my sporting career here.

"I also never wanted to be a problem for the club. The fans have always treated me well because of my performance, because I have sweated in this shirt and that is what I will continue to try to do."

David Villa Factfile

1981: Born December 3, Langreo, Spain.

2000: Starts professional career at Sporting de Gijon and scores 50 goals in three seasons.

2003: Joins Real Zaragoza and wins Copa del Rey in his first season, scoring a penalty in the final against Real Madrid.

2005: February 2 - Makes his international debut for Spain in Almeria in a 5-0 win over San Marino.

June - Moves to Valencia for a reported 15 million euros.

2006: Scores 25 goals in 35 La Liga games for Valencia during 2005/06 season to finish one goal behind the league's top scorer, Samuel Eto'o of Barcelona.

June - Travels with Spain to World Cup in Germany and scores in their opening match against Ukraine. Puts Spain 1-0 ahead against France in last 16 but Les Bleus hit back to win 3-1.

2008: Wins his first trophy with Valencia - the Copa del Rey - with 3-1 win over Getafe in final.

2008: Scores six goals in Spain's triumphant Euro 2008 campaign to finish the top scorer in the competition despite missing the 1-0 win over Germany in the final due to injury.

August 27 - Signs new six-year contract with Valencia.

2009: Scores 28 goals in 33 La Liga games in 2008/09.

July - Linked with clubs such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea, but claims he would be happy to see out his career with Valencia, saying: "I had the desire to remain here and I want to spend all my sporting career here."

2010: May 19 - Barcelona confirm they have agreed fee of 40 million euros with Valencia for Villa, who will move to Nou Camp on four-year contract subject to a medical.