'It's a dream': Rodri completes £65m move to Barcelona

Rodri, the World Cup-winning captain from Spain, has finalized his £65 million transfer to Barcelona. The 30-year-old has inked a four-year deal with the La Liga champions. After undergoing medical tests, Rodri officially signed the contract at the Camp Nou on Tuesday.

Expressing his joy, Rodri stated, "I'm very happy to have arrived. The last few days have been intense, but I'm glad everything has been sorted out." He added, "Playing for FC Barcelona is a dream come true."

The talented midfielder, who won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player at the recent World Cup in North America, signed with Barcelona following Manchester City, where he won 12 major titles, including four Premier League championships, two FA Cups, and the Champions League in 2022/23. He also scored the only goal in City's 2023 Champions League final victory over Inter Milan.

Barcelona, keen on securing Rodri's services, intensified their efforts in recent days. The Catalan giants, however, will have to account for Rodri's recent back surgery, which is expected to sideline him at the start of the season. Despite this, Rodri remains optimistic, telling reporters, "The surgery everyone was talking about was no big deal - it was just an outpatient procedure. I'm ready to train with the team, and when the coach thinks it's time, I'll be ready to play."

In a farewell message to Manchester City fans, Rodri shared his gratitude for the club, fans, staff, and teammates. He reflected on his time at City, stating, "I knew I came into a top team but I never thought we could create the legacy we made: winning trophies, fans around the world, love and respect. We made an example to inspire the next generations not only because of the success, also because the way we did it."