Oriol Romeu had his official unveiling as a Barcelona player at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, ahead of Barcelona’s pre-season tour.
Barcelona club president Joan Laporta and football director Mateu Alemany were some of the people present at the unveiling of Oriol Romeu’s homecoming.
Having spent years in Southampton, Chelsea and Girona, the La Masía graduate made his return to Barcelona, after Barcelona paid his release clause to Girona.
Joan Laporta introduced the new signing, and was full of praise for the 31-year-old pivot.
“From the get-go, Xavi wanted you to join. He’s worked very well with the sporting staff to make sure that happened,” Laporta said.
“I hope you’ll have a lot of success, and I know you come here with a lot of motivation. I don’t have to explain the club to you, but I ask you to express your personality in the squad, and help understand what our institution is all about,” the club president continued.
Mateu Alemany decided to break the silence on how the transfer took place, given rumors about whether Barcelona paid his reported 3.4 million euro release clause in full.
“”The process of reaching an agreement with Girona was achieved with full cordiality. Oriol’s release clause wasn’t well defined; there were some variables that we later defined, and Barcelona paid the release clause in its entirety,” Alemany explained.
“We’re very satisfied. We really value his leadership [shown] in the clubs he’s been in. I approve in saying that Oriol is a professional and personal example [for those around him],” he continued.
“”From a technical point of view, it’s complicated, too. We had an internal process of evaluating the market. There were no doubts about Oriol, he had the ideal footballing profile. Then, it also had to be considered that he does have our DNA and knows the club,” Alemany said.
Oriol Romeu rejoined Barcelona on a 3-year deal running until 2026.
h/t Mundo Deportivo
