Former Manchester City captain Rodri joins Barcelona in a £65.4m deal

Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Rodri from Manchester City in a deal worth 65.4m. The Spain World Cup winner and former Ballon d’Or winner, Rodri, 30, who helped City win four Premier League titles and a Champions League crown, has signed a four-year contract with the LaLiga club. Barcelona had bids of 40m and 55m rejected by City before the deal was eventually agreed. “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. “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.” 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, 30, leaves City after seven seasons, having made 298 appearances and won 12 major honours, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups and the Champions League in 2023. His final two seasons at the club were disrupted by injury, but he returned to his best form in this summer’s World Cup, being named player of the tournament as Spain lifted the trophy for the second time. In a farewell message to City fans, Rodri said: “I am leaving the club with a huge sense of pride about what we have achieved and gratitude too for so many amazing memories. “What we have done together in these years is something both very special and unforgettable. “City didn’t just make me a grow as a player. They made me grow as a human. I saw my brother graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University. “I could see my girlfriend working for the NHS. Manchester shaped my whole life.”The post Former Manchester City captain Rodri joins Barcelona in a 65.4m deal appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.