David Villa bade an emotional farewell to Valencia after the club agreed to sell him to Barcelona for 40 million euros.
The 28-year-old will undergo a medical in the Catalan capital on Friday morning before being unveiled at 1330 local time on a four-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.
The move brings to an end a successful five-year stint with Los Che which has seen Villa develop into one of the most feared forwards in Europe and become a regular in the Spain team.
He admits, however, that he leaves the Mestalla with a heavy heart.
"I get a lot of feelings, leaving many friends, but knowing that it is good for the club," he said in an open letter.
"At Valencia I have grown as a player and as a person. At Valencia I have felt at home from day one and nobody will doubt it to be that way forever.
"I want everyone to know that it has been a great source of pride for me to wear this shirt. It has given me so much and I will always carry it in my heart."
Villa helped Valencia win the 2008 Copa del Rey and will move on having fired the club to a third-place finish in La Liga in 2009/10 to return the club to the Champions League.
"I leave with the satisfaction that the club has returned to where it deserves to be every year - fighting among the best in Europe in the Champions League," he continued.
"I would like to send a big hug to all the fans who have always given so much love, from the day of my presentation until the last match at the Mestalla.
"Also to all my colleagues who have helped me to improve, to all the technical staff I have worked with and to the leaders, especially (Valencia president) Manuel Llorente, and employees, with whom I have worked side by side."
Villa scored 107 goals in 166 league matches for Valencia after establishing himself with Real Zaragoza.
Barca earlier confirmed they had reached agreement with Valencia for the player's services.
A statement on the official club 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."
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