The White Rabbit

'Saviola is better than Zidane' - Diario Sport, 2-Nov-2001.

'The fans want Saviola to stay' - Diario Sport, 12-Jan-2007.

'I won't betray Barcelona; I cannot go to Real Madrid. If I leave it will be for new experiences abroad' - Javier Saviola, 10-Feb-2007

'The club has treated him extremely well in his five years here, and he's had excellent contracts, but unfortunately his yield in terms of titles and trophies has been nil' - Joan Laporta, 11-Jul-2007.

'His technique is reminiscent of Michael Owen's, his instinct in front of goal is like Raúl's' - Ramon Calderón, 13-Jul-2007.

El Conejo, as he is known, will have to wait until two days before Christmas to make his return to the Nou Camp, where he will hope his reception is less hostile than what Luis Figo had to face. Barcelona supporters seem split about the move, from wishing him luck, regretful denial (sorry Linda), to outright hostility. Not all Real fans are happy, either.

He will also face some competition in the starting line-up, with Van the man, Raúl, Higuaín and Soldado (returning from his very impressive loan season at Osasuna with an extension to his contract until 2012). They say Schuster prefers to stick to the same set of players and does not rotate often, but then he's not really had to juggle three competitions on the go at the same time at either Getafe or Xerez.

Check out his Goal.com profile, for a hopefully objective summary of his career so far.