BARCELONA have officially unveiled Marcos Alonso as their latest transfer signing after the defender left Chelsea by mutual consent.
The left-back, 31, spent six years at Stamford Bridge and made 212 appearances, scoring 29 goals.
He helped the Blues win the Premier League in his first season before success in the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and Club World Cup.
But he was deemed surplus to requirements by Thomas Tuchel after the arrival of Marc Cucurella this summer and was subsequently left out of Chelsea’s Prem squad.
Alonso was included as part of the swap deal which saw Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sign for Chelsea on deadline day.
But because Barcelona did not have time to register the Spaniard Chelsea released him instead, allowing Alonso to be registered outside of the transfer window as a free agent.
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But he will NOT feature for his new club against Sevilla on Saturday – presumably the registration has still not gone through.
Chelsea thanked Alonso for his years of service and wished him well for the future upon his departure.
A statement read: “A thoughtful and extremely likeable man off the pitch, Alonso was the epitome of suave around Cobham.
“But it is his impact in the final third that will linger longest in the mind when his six thoroughly successful seasons in SW6 are reflected upon in the years to come.
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“Everyone at Chelsea Football Club would like to thank Marcos for his service to the Blues and wish him all the very best for the rest of his career.”
Barcelona had concerns over whether they would have the finances to register Alonso so tried to ship out fellow left-back Jordi Alba.
A loan move to Inter Milan was on the cards but was arranged without Alba knowing, leaving the Spaniard fuming.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
