Rodri leaves Manchester City for Barcelona

Sports Desk

Barcelona have officially announced the signing of midfielder Rodri from Manchester City. The Spanish star has signed a four-year contract at the Nou Camp for a transfer fee of around £65 million. This marks the return of the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner to his home country after leaving Atletico Madrid in 2019.

Rodri, 30, spent seven long seasons with English club City. During that time, he played 298 games and won a total of 12 major trophies – including 4 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups, 3 EFL Cups and the 2023 UEFA Champions League title.
His last two seasons at City were hampered by injuries, but he returned to form brilliantly at this summer’s World Cup. He won Spain’s second World Cup trophy and was also awarded the tournament’s best player.

Real Madrid were initially the frontrunners to sign Rodri after he entered the final 12 months of his contract with Manchester City. However, sources have confirmed to BBC Sport that Rodri gave Barcelona the green light to enter direct talks with Manchester City.

City rejected Barcelona’s first bid of £38.5m. The transfer was later finalized by agreement between the two clubs and Real Madrid withdrew from the competition.

Rodri arrived in Barcelona on Monday. Speaking to reporters at the airport, the Spanish midfielder said that playing for the Catalan club was a “dream come true” for him.