January Transfers 2022: Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has joined Barcelona on a free transfer after terminating his contract with Premier League team Arsenal, the LaLiga club said on Wednesday. Follow Insidesport.IN For more updates
Barcelona said Aubameyang will sign a contract until June 2025, with an option to agree departure on June 30, 2023. The Catalan club have set his release clause at 100 million euros ($113.08 million).
January Transfers 2022: Aubameyang unveiled as new Barcelona player after Arsenal exit
“Shortly the club will provide details of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s presentation as a first team player,” Barcelona’s website said, while on Twitter the club posted “It’s Auba time!”.
Aubameyang joined Arsenal from German club Borussia Dortmund in 2018 and was former manager Arsene Wenger’s last signing. He immediately became a fan favourite and went on to score 92 goals in 163 games for them.
His crowning moment was captaining Arsenal to their 14th FA Cup in 2020, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over Chelsea, having scored a brace against Manchester City in the semi-final.
❗️ NEW SIGNING!
▶ @Auba is blaugrana!— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 2, 2022
The 32-year-old striker left Arsenal by mutual consent on Tuesday. He had not played for the north London club since December after manager Mikel Arteta stripped him of the captaincy due to a disciplinary breach.
❝ I’m happy to be here. I will give it my all to help the team ❞@Auba pic.twitter.com/6miGvVpdAa
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 2, 2022
Despite being Arsenal’s highest earner, with wages reported to be 350,000 pounds per week, he has not played for the north London club since December after manager Mikel Arteta stripped him of the captaincy due to a disciplinary breach.
January Transfers 2022: Aubameyang unveiled as new Barcelona player after Arsenal exit
Aubameyang was also sent home early from the Africa Cup of Nations after the Gabonese Football Federation said cardiac lesions were found in tests conducted in Cameroon following a positive COVID-19 test.
His signing follows the arrival of winger Adama Traore on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers as Barcelona look to rebuild after the departure of Lionel Messi to Paris St Germain.
In a quest to strengthen their attacking options, Barcelona also signed Spanish forward Ferran Torres from Manchester City for around 55 million euros ($61.34 million) in the transfer window.
The club has also tried to offload French winger Ousmane Dembele, who has not played since their Super Cup defeat by Real Madrid earlier this month.
Barcelona are fifth in the La Liga standings, 15 points behind leaders and rivals Real Madrid.
They are at home to Atletico Madrid this weekend.
January Transfers 2022: Aubameyang unveiled as new Barcelona player after Arsenal exit
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