Jordi Alba, a defender for Barcelona, will become a free agent at the conclusion of the current campaign, the Catalan club said on Wednesday.
Alba, 34, has a deal to stay with Barca until 2024, but after 11 years in the first squad, he will leave this summer.
Jordi Alba and Barcelona have agreed to cancel the player’s contract, which was set to last until the 2023–24 season, according to a statement released by the club on Wednesday.
Jordi Alba is set to leave FC Barcelona this season as a free agent
“Barcelona would like to formally thank Alba for his professionalism, devotion, and hard work, as well as for his ongoing good nature and friendship with every member of the Barca family. We hope he has a prosperous future. You have a home in Barcelona forever, Jordi.”
Therefore, his final home game for the Blaugrana will be on Sunday against Mallorca at Spotify Camp Nou, giving him the opportunity to bid goodbye to the fans.
The following weekend, Barca will play their final game of the season away at Celta Vigo, having already claimed the LaLiga championship. This will be Alba’s final game for the team.
Sergio Busquets, the team’s captain, will also say goodbye to Barca supporters on Sunday after declaring earlier this month that he would not be renewing his contract, which expires in June.
Although Alba has not yet made a decision regarding his future step, he has previously been linked to a move to Saudi Arabia, along with Busquets.
In a video posted to his social media page, Alba expressed gratitude to his parents, brother, friends, and all of the players, coaches, presidents, and staffers he has worked with over the course of his 18-year career with the club.
“Thanks to my wife and children, without whom none of this would be possible, I have the fortitude to face each day.
Graciously, graciously, and with appreciation
“Playing for Barcelona has always been my greatest goal, and I have many special memories that I will cherish forever. One of the most memorable experiences of my life was growing up in the academy.
I had to leave after seven years, but I came back later to experience the dream scenario of playing for the first team and returning home with a presentation at Camp Nou. It was an exceptional time.
“Eleven seasons later, I’m happy and proud of what we’ve accomplished together. Not everything has been positive; there have certainly been challenging times, but we have always overcome them as a team.
“I shall miss experiencing the love and encouragement of the supporters while racing down the wing at Camp Nou. Who could have predicted that the nine-year-old who joined the Barça academy would accomplish so much with the team of their lives? I feel incredibly lucky.
“After all that, though, and after giving it considerable consideration, this is the appropriate time to leave. I would like to say that this is my final year playing for Barcelona. Though it wasn’t an easy choice, I left satisfied and at ease since I think it’s the right course of action.
Alba’s refusal to go resulted in the breakdown of Barca’s talks with Italian team Inter Milan last summer.
However, Alba has decided it’s time to look for a fresh challenge outside of his boyhood club after losing his spot in the side to Alejandro Balde this season at left-back.
Alba initially enrolled in the Barca academy in 1998 but left in 2005. He then spent time with Cornella and Valencia before coming back to Camp Nou in 2012 in a €14 million deal.
Since then, he has made more than 450 appearances for the club, and during that time, he has won six LaLiga championships, five Copas del Reys, and one Champions League.