Rodri Officially Joins Barcelona

Rodri is now officially a Barcelona player. The Spanish midfielder completed his medical examinations this morning at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper and then finalized his contract with the Catalan club. The deal will see Rodri wear the blaugrana colors for the next four seasons.

The player met with President Joan Laporta, Sporting Director Deco, and his agents before the official announcement. Rodri, who arrived from Manchester on Monday evening, had previously expressed his excitement about the move.

Manchester City bid farewell to the player with a touching video and a caption saying, "Thank you, Rodri." The transfer fee is reported to be around 70 million euros, including fixed installments and bonuses. The 30-year-old midfielder will wear the number 16 jersey.

Barcelona's Official Statement

"Barcelona and Manchester City have reached an agreement for the transfer of Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, known in the football world as Rodri, who will be tied to the Catalan club until June 30, 2030. Born in Madrid on June 22, 1996, the Spanish international plays as a defensive midfielder and is considered one of the best players in the world in his position. He is distinguished by his tactical intelligence, composure on the ball, ball-winning ability, and passing precision."

"Rodri grew up in the Atlético Madrid youth academy, completing his development at Villarreal, the club with which he debuted in the Spanish top flight. His high-level performances led Atlético to bring him back to the team in 2018. After an excellent season under Diego Simeone, he was signed by Manchester City in 2019. At Manchester City, his consistency, ability to dictate the tempo of the game, and leadership contributed to the conquest of numerous trophies, including several Premier League titles, the FA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League in 2023 – the year he scored the decisive goal that gifted the club its first European title."

"Rodri also played a fundamental role in the Spanish national team. He won Euro 2024, a triumph that solidified his status as a world-class player and culminated, in the same year, with the conquest of the Ballon d'Or. More recently, he played a key role in Spain's success at the World Cup, alongside eight Barça players, and was awarded the Ballon d'Or as the best player of the tournament."

"One of Rodri's greatest strengths is his ability to read the game. He can anticipate opponents' moves, often recovers possession, and distributes it with extraordinary precision. Despite playing a defensive role, he is also capable of participating in offensive play and scoring important goals. He also stands out for his professionalism, humility, and work ethic," concluded the statement released by the blaugrana club on its official website.