Barcelona announce the return of Eric Garcia
A day after introducing one former Manchester City player, Barcelona introduce a second as the club introduced former La Masia product, Eric Garcia.
According to Sport, the Catalans signed Garcia to a five-year deal and a release clause of €400 million. The center back arrives on a free as his contract with Man City expired.
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The center back becomes Barcelona’s second signing in as many days.
The signing is a reunion of sorts as Garcia left Barcelona back in 2017 to sign with City. He made his debut with the Manchester side under Pep Guardiola.
However, he only participated in just 12 games this season after he informed the club he was not signing a renewal.
Barcelona were interested in him last summer but their finances forbade them from signing him. They tried again in the winter transfer window to the same results.
It was decided both sides would wait until the end of the season to sign as Garcia would come without needing to pay City a transfer fee.
However, the deal then hit an obstacle as Joan Laporta and his board presented the player a lower offer than what they had already agreed on.
Still, going back to his former club was the only thing on Garcia’s mind and, in the end, they were able to come to an agreement.
"“My dream was to play at Barça and to have the opportunity to change in the dressing room was an immense joy,” Garcia said. “Hopefully once the season starts we are able to have fans back in the Camp Nou.“It’s always a good moment to come to Barça. The president has marked an optimistic path, a path with youth and experience. We’ll do our best for Barça.”Source: Mundo Deportivo"
Mateu Alemany, the club’s director of football, was filled with praise for Garcia as he was frozen out of the City team for not signing an extension.
Mateu Alemany (director of football): "Eric has had a very special behavior for a long time and I want to take the opportunity to highlight that."
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) June 1, 2021
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Garcia becomes the latest signing in what is expected to be a min-revolution at the club. He joins Oscar Mingueza and Ronald Araujo as defenders the club are banking on for the present and future.