Manchester United have confirmed that young defender Gerard Pique is to return to Barcelona on a four-year deal.
The 21-year-old left Catalunya to embark on a career at United in 2004 but has made just six Premier League starts for the club and will now return to his home country in a bid to kick-start his career.
Pique has been on the fringes of United’s first team this season but has seen Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic strike up the best defensive partnership in The Premier League and his final act as a United player was to watch from the stands as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side triumphed in the Champions League final in Moscow.
United confirmed via a statement on their official website: “FC Barcelona and Manchester United have reached agreement for the transfer of Gerard Pique to the Catalan club. Gerard, 21, will sign a four-year contract with Barcelona.
“The young Spaniard returns to Camp Nou after leaving for Old Trafford in 2004. During his four-year Reds career, Pique made 14 starts and nine substitute appearances.”
Pique enjoyed a successful loan spell with Real Zaragoza in La Liga last season and becomes Barcelona’s second signing of the transfer window after Monday’s capture of Seydou Keita.
He will officially sign his contract later on Tuesday and his release clause has been set at a mighty €50 million (£39.8 million) by Barca. |
發表於 2008-5-27 07:21 PM
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發表於 2008-5-27 07:47 PM
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