Barcelona goalkeeper Jordi Masip has paid tribute to outgoing stopper Victor Valdes.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen has already arrived at the Camp Nou as Valdes's replacement, with the Spanish international, who is currently on the sidelines with a knee injury, believed to be joining Monaco.
Masip, meanwhile, will step into the Barca first team next season as third choice, with the Catalan outfit still on the lookout for a stopper to provide competition for Ter Stegen.
"I am very proud to reach the first team and I really want to start work with the best players in the world, starting with pre-season," Masip told Marca.
"My reference is clear: Victor Valdes is the best goalkeeper, the most complete, and I hope he recovers soon.
"It will be hard to match what he has done here. It is the mirror through which I view myself."
Masip has been with Barcelona B since 2009.
Matt Law
