Barcelona have re-signed Oriol Romeu on a three-year deal from Girona.
The 31-year-old returns to Camp Nou 12 years after leaving for Chelsea in 2011, having come through the famed La Masia academy but only making two appearances for the senior side during his first spell.
Romeu has put pen to paper on a three-year contract that will keep him at the club until 2026, with the contract including a €400m (£346.2m) release clause.
The midfielder becomes Barca's third signing of the summer, following Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez through the door at Camp Nou, while they have also sealed a deal for Vitor Roque to join in 2024.
Romeu spent last season in La Liga with Girona, making 33 appearances in the top flight as he helped Barca's Catalan rivals to their joint-highest ever finish in their first season since winning promotion.
Welcome back, Oriol! 👋 pic.twitter.com/tp26WX2E85
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 19, 2023
Prior to that, Romeu spent seven years at Premier League side Southampton, making 256 appearances for the club across all competitions.
The uncapped Spaniard also counts Chelsea amongst his former clubs, helping the Blues to Champions League and FA Cup glory in 2011-12.
Romeu's arrival comes after long-time defensive midfield stalwart Sergio Busquets left the club at the end of his contract, linking up with MLS side Inter Miami.
Barca have also offloaded Jordi Alba and Samuel Umtiti this summer, while Xavi is reportedly keen to lighten his squad further before the start of the new season too.
The La Liga champions face the likes of Juventus, Arsenal, AC Milan, Tottenham Hotspur and Clasico rivals Real Madrid in pre-season, before Romeu could make his competitive second debut for the club when they begin their title defence away to Getafe on August 13.
Barney Corkhill
