Barcelona defender Jordi Alba will depart the Catalan membership on the finish of the present season as a free agent, it was introduced on Wednesday.
Alba, 34, has a contract with Barca till 2024 however an settlement has been reached for him to depart this summer time after 11 years within the first workforce.
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A membership assertion on Wednesday learn: “Barcelona and Jordi Alba have reached an agreement to terminate the player’s contract with the club which was due to run until the end of the 2023-24 season.
“Barcelona wish to publicly categorical gratitude to Alba for his professionalism, dedication and dedication, and his ever-positive and pleasant relationship with all members of the Barca household. We want him each fortune sooner or later. Barca will all the time be a house for you, Jordi.”
Sunday’s fixture against Mallorca at Spotify Camp Nou will therefore be his final home match for the Blaugrana and a chance to say goodbye to the supporters.
Barca, who have already clinched the LaLiga title, then close the season away at Celta Vigo the following weekend, which will now be Alba’s last outing for the club.
Club captain Sergio Busquets will also bid farewell to Barca fans on Sunday after announcing earlier this month that he will not renew his contract, which expires in June.
Alba has not yet confirmed what his next move will be but along with Busquets, he has previously been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
“Because of my mother and father and my brother for all they’ve taught me; to my associates for sharing the journey with me; and to all teammates, employees, coaches, presidents and staff I’ve coincided with throughout 18 years in whole with this membership,” Alba stated in a video on his social media account.
“Thanks additionally to my youngsters for the energy they provide me day-after-day and to my spouse for all she does, with out them none of that is potential.
GRÀCIES GRACIAS THANK YOU pic.twitter.com/2pARAdY02j
— Jordi Alba (@JordiAlba) Might 24, 2023
“My biggest dream was always to play for Barcelona and my memory is full of lifetime of moments which I will remember with affection. Developing in the academy was one of most special moments of my life. After seven years, I had to leave, only to return a time later for the moment I had dreamed off, playing for the first team and coming home with a presentation at Camp Nou. It was a unique moment.
“Eleven seasons later, I’m proud and happy of every little thing we’ve achieved collectively. It has not all been good, there have additionally been sophisticated moments, however we’ve all the time got here via them united.
“I will miss running down the wing at Camp Nou feeling the support and affection of the fans. Who would have told that nine-year-old entering Barca’s academy they would achieve so much with the club of their life? I feel very fortunate.
“In any case that, although, after desirous about it fastidiously, that is the correct second to step apart. So, I wish to announce that is my final season as a Barca participant. It isn’t been a simple choice, however I depart glad and with peace of thoughts as a result of I imagine that it’s the neatest thing to do.”
Barca also negotiated a deal with Italian side Inter Milan last summer, although Alba’s reluctance to leave saw those talks break down.
However, after losing his place in the side to Alejandro Balde this season at left-back, Alba has decided now is the time to seek a new challenge away from his boyhood club.
Alba first joined Barca’s academy in 1998 but left in 2005, spending time with Cornella and Valencia earlier than returning to Camp Nou in 2012 in a switch price €14 million.
He has since revamped 450 appearances for the membership, profitable six LaLiga titles, 5 Copas del Rey and one Champions League throughout that point.