Barcelona have signed Athletic Bilbao defender Inigo Martinez on a free transfer.
The La Liga giants agreed a pre-contract with Martinez earlier this year and have now confirmed he has joined the club.
The 32-year-old has penned a two-deal until 2025, with a release clause set at €400 million.
Martinez had courted interest from fellow Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan, but he only wanted to move to Barca.
The Spanish centre-back has been signed as a replacement for Gerard Pique, who announced his retirement from football last November.
Martinez was at the heart of Athletic Club’s defence for over five years, making 177 appearances in all competitions.
However, he missed a chunk of games last season through various injury problems.
The former Real Sociedad star has a vast amount of experience under his belt.
His ability as a ball-playing centre-back will provide depth to Barca’s defence which already boasts Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen.
Barca have also acquired talented Senegalese defender Mikayil Faye, and it remains to be seen whether the 18-year-old will be part of the first-team plans squad season.
Martinez is Barca’s third signing of the summer transfer window after Faye and Ilkay Gundogan.
Gundogan, Martinez and Roque – Summer overhaul in full swing
Barca went into the summer transfer window with a cloud hanging over them due to the club’s well-documented financial crisis.
However, they completed a masterstroke with the signing of free agent Gundogan, who achieved a treble with Manchester City last season.
The Catalan giants are expected to follow up with a headline-grabbing transfer as they have reportedly reached an agreement for the Brazilian wonderkid Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense.
The highly coveted Brazilian teenager, who has netted 21 goals this season, was targeted by several Premier League clubs, but Barca got the deal over the line.
The 18-year-old was also determined to join the Catalan club as the next step of his career.
The deal will cost Blaugrana around €45 million, including add-ons, and Roque is expected to join Barca’s first team at the start of 2024.
However, the Blaugrana have seemingly missed out on top target Arda Guler, with arch-rivals Real Madrid reportedly hijacking the deal for the Turkish prodigy.
Barca are working towards reducing the size of their squad, with Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Arnau Tenas and Samuel Umititi leaving the club this summer.
Clement Lenglet is next on the list, as Tottenham Hotspur are in talks to sign the French defender permanently.
