SPAIN’S midfield star Rodri has signed for Barcelona after the La Liga club agreed to pay a €70 million fee to Manchester City.
The 30-year-old returns to La Liga for the first time since he left Atletico Madrid to join City in 2019.
Rodri will earn close to €30 million per season with a four-year contract, according to Spanish media reports.
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After being strongly linked with Real Madrid for several weeks, the World Cup winner has gone for its rival.
“I’m very happy and excited about this new stage in my career. It’s a fresh challenge, a chance to experience new things and feel that excitement again,” Rodri said at a news conference in Barcelona.
“I’ve come to a hugely ambitious club that really suits my personality, so I’ll try to help in every way I can to achieve our objectives this season,” he continued.
The Madrid-born midfielder also joins a squad full of his World Cup teammates including Pedri, Gavi, Pau Cubarsí, Joan García, Eric García, Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal.
The close relationship among Spain’s players was a reason that Rodri ultimately opted for Barcelona, with of his international teammates urging him to join the Catalan club.
On the prospect of playing under German manager Hansi Flick, Rodri said: “I’m happy to have a coach who I think will bring a lot to my career.”
“It’s a style that I think is somewhat different from what I’ve experienced before, so it will be enriching and help me grow as a player.”
Rodri came through Atletico Madrid’s youth system before moving to Villarreal as a teenager.
Three years later Atletico brought him back where his impressive performances attracted the attention of Pep Guardiola, who made him a key figure in the rise of Manchester City.
Playing for Spain, Rodri has won the European Championship, and of course the recent World Cup.
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