Rodri lands in Barcelona to complete 'dream' move

Rodri has declared it his "dream" to play for Barcelona after arriving in the city to complete a reported £65 million move from Manchester City. The 30-year-old Spain midfielder is set to sign a four-year contract with the La Liga champions.

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I'm very happy to have arrived. The last few days have been intense, but I'm glad everything has been sorted out. Of course, playing for FC Barcelona is a dream.

"I'm very happy to have arrived. The last few days have been intense, but I'm glad everything has been sorted out," Rodri told journalists at the airport. "Of course, playing for FC Barcelona is a dream." He expressed eagerness to join his new teammates, many of whom he knows from the national squad, and is focused on "getting to work and giving my very best."

Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, enjoyed a trophy-laden seven seasons at Manchester City after joining for a then-club record £62.8 million in 2019. Despite missing significant parts of recent seasons due to knee and hamstring injuries, he returned to top form, leading Spain to a World Cup title and earning player of the tournament honors this summer.

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I can't wait to be with my team-mates, many of whom I already know from the national team. It's time to get to work and give my very best.

During his tenure at City, Rodri amassed 12 major honors, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups, and the Champions League in the 2022-23 season. His departure follows Barcelona's increased efforts to sign him after City rejected an initial offer of £38.5 million. Real Madrid had also been linked with the player, who was entering the final year of his contract.

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the Champions League and everything else that comes our way