BUENOS AIRES, July 23 — French veteran striker David Trezeguet has signed a one-year deal with Argentine champions Newell’s Old Boys, the club said yesterday.

“I am coming to a team everyone admires in Argentina and which has just won the title,” said Trezeguet, who insisted he can still live up to his nickname of ‘Trezegol’ at the age of 35.

The 1998 World Cup winner with France arrives having been released by River Plate.

“Newell’s have been after me for a month since River said they were letting me go, and this was the only concrete and serious proposition,” said the former Monaco and Juventus forward.

Trezeguet has not played since March having suffered knee problems over the past few months which led to surgery and cut short his time at River, for whom he scored 17 times in 38 appearances.

But a Newell’s source said he had come through a “very complete” medical check.

At Newell’s, Trezeguet will link up with former Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille defender Gabriel Heinze and also former Atletico Madrid midfielder Maxi Rodriguez. – AFP