O Barcelona made official, this Wednesday, the hiring of defensive midfielder Oriol Romeu. The Spaniard arrives from Girona for 4.5 million euros (R$ 24.3 million at current prices), according to the local press, and signs with the Catalan club until the end of June 2026, formalizing a three-year contract.
Barca also said in an official statement that Romeu will have a release clause of 400 million euros. The Spanish team, however, has not yet released more details about the official presentation of the midfielder, who already trains with the rest of the squad and is on the list of those related to the club’s pre-season in the United States.
The Catalan club was looking for a defensive midfielder on the market since the departure of Sergio Busquets, who did not renew his contract with Barcelona and left for Inter Miami, from MLS. In this way, the team saw Romeu as a quality and low-cost signing, as he has been having problems with the issue of financial Fair Play.
Oriol Romeu is Barcelona’s third reinforcement for the 2023/24 season, but he is the fourth signing of this window. Before him, the club closed with midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, defender Iñigo Martínez and Brazilian striker Vitor Roquewhich should arrive at the team only in June 2024.
A culer come back home. pic.twitter.com/anvoeSZukx
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 19, 2023
Oriol Romeu was revealed in Barcelona’s youth system and made his debut with the main team in the 2010/11 season, when the squad was still commanded by coach Pep Guardiola. However, he was unable to gain a foothold and left for the Chelsea in the same season, club in which he won the Champions League.
It was only after he left the Blues, in 2015, and headed to Southampton, that the 31-year-old midfielder managed to find more stability in his career. In seven seasons with the team, he made 256 appearances, scoring eight goals and providing six assists.
In September 2022, Romeu ended his time in England and returned to Spanish football, this time to defend Girona. Last season, he participated in 34 matches, scoring two goals. Now, he returns to Barcelona to make his second spell at the club.
A little R&R: Rondo & Romeu pic.twitter.com/w7zqdRuyN6
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 19, 2023
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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