MADRID (AP) 鈥� Barcelona made official the signing of on Tuesday, with the midfielder celebrating his arrival to a club that understands 鈥渢he values” of soccer and saying it was a 鈥渢ough decision鈥� to leave Manchester City.
The midfielder who helped Spain secure its second World Cup title transferred from Man City to join a squad already filled with world champions such as Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubars铆, Gavi and Pedri.
The 30-year-old Rodri’s contract will run to 2030, Barcelona said. The announcement was made after the midfielder underwent a medical and the clubs finalized transfer details.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a very special day, a very important new chapter in my career,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was a tough decision. First, because I鈥檓 leaving Manchester City, a club that has given me everything and where I鈥檝e been incredibly happy. I鈥檒l be eternally grateful,鈥� Rodri said. 鈥淚鈥檓 also grateful that they understood it was a good time to leave. Barcelona is a fantastic club, a global reference for its approach to football and the values 鈥嬧�媔t represents. I had other options, but Barcelona was my first choice.鈥�
Rodri, who had one year left on his City contract, said on Monday that it was 鈥渁 dream to play鈥� for the Catalan club.
鈥淲hen offers came in, the first step was understanding that a chapter at my club had ended and it was time to look for a way out. It took me a while to process that. It was the most special club I鈥檝e ever been at,鈥� Rodri said Tuesday. 鈥淚 studied and analyzed the offers, they were from very important clubs. Together with my family and friends, we made the decision we thought was best.鈥�
Barcelona agreed to a transfer worth 76.5 million euros ($88.5 million), according to a person with knowledge of the transaction confirmed to The Associated Press on Sunday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the details of the deal have not been made public.
Real Madrid was also reportedly interested in signing Rodri at first 鈥� and the midfielder had loudly praised Barcelona’s rival in the past 鈥� but Spanish media said no agreement could be reached.
Barcelona, chasing a three-peat in La Liga, has already boosted its squad with England forward Anthony Gordon, who will help to make up for the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, who scored the winning goal in extra time in the World Cup final against Argentina.
The club is also set to add defender Jo茫o Cancelo.
Rodri as the World Cup鈥檚 best player and was crucial for Spain’s title-winning campaign.
鈥淚鈥檝e been with many of my teammates for almost two months now, and it鈥檚 been a warm welcome,” Rodri said. “It鈥檚 a very young dressing room, eager to do important things. I hope to contribute to what they鈥檝e brought me here for. I鈥檓 joining a tight and enthusiastic dressing room.鈥�
Rodri spent seven years at City, making 298 appearances, scoring 28 goals and helping the English club win 14 trophies.
He in the Champions League final victory over Inter Milan in 2023, and as the world鈥檚 best player the following year after being part of Spain鈥檚 European Championship-winning team.
Rodri had joined City from Atletico Madrid. He previously played at Villarreal. His departure further weakens City鈥檚 midfield, with Bernardo Silva having left for Real Madrid this offseason.
鈥淩odri has been a quite magnificent servant and played a huge part of what the club has achieved since he arrived,鈥� City director of football Hugo Viana said. 鈥淲ith his achievements, Rodri has more than cemented his place in the history of Manchester City and we all wish him well in the next chapter of his career.鈥�
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