Ingles signs with Barcelona

Australian Boomers swingman Joe Ingles has taken his career in a forward direction, signing with Spanish powerhouse club Barcelona.

Ingles had only just started a new season with CB Granada, but was recently given the call up when the Barcelona side was in need of replacing injured guard Gianluca Basile.

Ingles, who had spent time as a 15-year-old at Barcelona's academy, agreed to the transfer – which cost the club a transfer fee of $586,000 – passed a physical examination, took care of some media duties before suiting up in his first clash for the side in Italy against Siena in the Euroleague competition.

"I am very happy to come to the best club in Europe,” Ingles told the media. “I'll play much less, but I don't care. My only idea is coming to help the team in any way.”

It is believed that the three-year deal will enhance the 23-year-old’s NBA stocks, as he takes his place in the back-court with top-prospect Ricky Rubio. The young Spanish star turned heads in Beijing and has been hotly pursued by NBA teams since, but has chosen to stay in the Euroleague for one more season, something will hopefully bring some attention to Joe.

“(Ingles is) a versatile player who can work in various positions. He understands the game and knows the league,” Barcelona's technical secretary Joan Creus told the media. “We know him well. We have been following him two or three years, and we know that he fits our model."