Barcelona have completed the signing of Marcos Alonso on a free transfer, after the Spaniard had his Chelsea contract terminated by mutual consent.
Marcos Alonso has left Chelsea by mutual consent, ending a six-year association with the club in which he lifted plenty of trophies and supplied Blues fans with so many memorable goals, according to a statement on the Chelsea website.
Barcelona have stated that the Spaniard’s short-term contract has a €50m (£43.2m) buyout clause, and details of an official presentation of their new addition will be announced in due course.
Alonso will take over the No.17 shirt left available by striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who joined Thomas Tuchel’s side on deadline day for a sum in the region of £12m.
What Did Alonso Say On Joining Barcelona?
Speaking to the club’s official website, Alonso stated his delight at joining the Catalan giants, adding he is excited to be following in the footsteps of his father, Marcos Alonso Sr, who played for the club between 1982 and 1987.
Look who’s in town 👋💥 pic.twitter.com/2uTHAWsnzP
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 2, 2022
“I have been in several talks with Barca throughout my career, and now I am here at last,” the left-back said. “I’m very happy and looking forward to starting. The only team that was ever in my head was Barca. This is the next stage of my career and I can’t wait.
“It is very special to play for the team where my father was such a success. That’s another important reason to be here. I remember when he brought me to see games at Camp Nou, so to be here now is incredible.
“I have had some words with the boss (Xavi). I want to do what he wants of me and what the team needs. I have experience and I want to offer that to the team.
“I know a lot of the players from playing for Spain or because they are old teammates. I’m looking forward to seeing them and sharing a dressing room with them.”
See Also: Xavi Praises Aubameyang After Move To Chelsea
Alonso began his career with Barcelona’s archrivals Real Madrid, however he only made one senior appearance for the club before joining Bolton Wanderers in 2020.
Alonso played three years with both Bolton and Fiorentina, with a brief loan spell with Sunderland in between, before joining Chelsea in the summer of 2016 for about £20 million.
The left-back is Xavi’s seventh summer acquisition, following Andreas Christensen, Franck Kessie, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Judd Kounde, and Hector Bellerin, who signed on deadline day after mutually ending his contract at Arsenal.
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