Martin Braithwaite joins Espanyol after Barcelona release

Espanyol have announced the arrival of Martin Braithwaite on a three-year deal.

The Denmark international terminated his contract at Barcelona on deadline day, with the club's head coach Xavi making it clear that the 31-year-old was not in his plans for the 2022-23 campaign.

Braithwaite has now made the move to Espanyol, with the experienced attacker penning a deal until June 2025.

"FC Barcelona and Martin Braithwaite have reached an agreement to terminate the contact binding the player to the club until the end of the 2023/24 season," read a statement on Barcelona's official website.

"FC Barcelona publicly expresses its gratitude to Braithwaite for his commitment and dedication and wishes him the best of fortune and every success in the future."

🐦✍️ #BraithwaitePerico

Benvingut, @MartinBraith!

¡Bienvenido!

Welcome!

欢迎！#RCDE

— RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (@RCDEspanyol) September 1, 2022

Braithwaite moved to Barcelona from Leganes in February 2020, being allowed to move to Camp Nou as an emergency signing following the long-term injury to Ousmane Dembele.

The forward started last season in impressive fashion, scoring twice and registering one assist in the team's first match of the La Liga campaign against Real Sociedad, but he was out between September and January due to a serious knee injury and struggled for action in the second half of the campaign.

Braithwaite has departed the Catalan side with a record of 10 goals and five assists in 58 appearances in all competitions.

The Dane previously scored 13 goals and registered eight assists in 48 outings for Leganes, while his overall La Liga record stands at 15 goals and 11 assists in 87 appearances.