A sacred page has turned for FC Barcelona this summer. Of all the battles since 2008 and after having played 722 games under the Catalan tunic, Sergio Busquets (34) has decided to leave the club to take over the management of Inter Miami. From then on, the defensive midfield position was vacant for the Blaugranas who needed to strengthen. Marcelo Brozovic was targeted but left Europe to sign for Al-Nassr. Finally, FC Barcelona turned to a more local track.
Evolving in Catalonia on the side of Girona and passed to FC Barcelona between 2004 (he was 13 years old) and 2011, Oriol Romeu returns home. The 31-year-old defensive midfielder made his professional debut with the Blaugranas during the 2010/2011 season, notably taking part in the Spanish Super Cup won against Sevilla (1-3/4-0). Followed by Arsenal, he finally left the following year for Chelsea. Playing the first two seasons with the Blues (33 matches, 1 goal), he was then loaned to Valencia (without much success) then to Stuttgart.
Return to Barça twelve years later
A coherent experience in Germany then a departure from the side of Southampton where he will burst the screen. Being part of the Saints executives between 2015 and 2022, he will participate in the stabilization of this team in the Premier League. Having left for Girona for a year, he was able to show in La Liga that he was a much more mature player than when he left and that caught the eye of FC Barcelona, who bet on him. The Catalans have lifted his release clause which was less than €10m.
Returning to FC Barcelona twelve years later, Oriol Romeu was announced via a press release: “FC Barcelona and Girona have reached an agreement regarding the transfer of Oriol Romeu. The player will sign with Barça for the next 3 seasons, until June 30, 2026. His release clause is set at 400 million euros. The Club will announce the details of the presentation of Oriol Romeu soon”can we read on the official website of the Culers.
