La Liga: Rodri joins Barcelona from Manchester City

Spanish World Cup-winning captain Rodri is set to embark on a new chapter in his career after finalizing his transfer to Barcelona from Manchester City on Tuesday. The 30-year-old midfielder has signed a contract with the La Liga champions that will keep him at the club until 2030, concluding a lengthy transfer saga.

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I’m very happy and excited about this new stage in my career. It’s a fresh challenge, a chance to experience new things and feel that excitement again.

Barcelona and Manchester City reached an agreement on Sunday, with a source indicating the deal could reach up to 76.5 million euros ($88.6 million) including bonuses. Rodri arrived in Barcelona the following day to finalize personal terms. "I’m very happy and excited about this new stage in my career," Rodri stated during his unveiling. "It’s a fresh challenge, a chance to experience new things and feel that excitement again."

After seven successful years at Manchester City, where he won numerous trophies, Rodri was reportedly close to joining Real Madrid before opting for their rivals. Despite facing injury struggles in recent seasons, he was a standout performer as Spain secured their second World Cup title last month. Barcelona, while dominant in La Liga, has not won the Champions League since 2015.

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It’s a pleasure to be at Barca. I’ll give 100 percent of everything I have. I’m here to compete for everything, for big things like the Champions League. I’ve come to a hugely ambitious club that really suits my personality, so I’ll try to help in every way I can to achieve our objectives this season.

"It’s a pleasure to be at Barca. I’ll give 100 percent of everything I have," Rodri pledged. "I’m here to compete for everything, for big things like the Champions League. I’ve come to a hugely ambitious club that really suits my personality, so I’ll try to help in every way I can to achieve our objectives this season." He will join several Spanish national teammates at Barcelona, including Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Dani Olmo, as well as new signings Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi. Rodri also expressed confidence in his new coach, Hansi Flick, believing his style will be enriching and help him grow as a player.

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(Flick has) a style that I think is somewhat different from what I’ve experienced before, so it will be enriching and help me grow as a player.