OFFICIAL: Oriol Romeu joins Barcelona until 2026

Barcelona are fulfilling Xavi Hernandez's request: to find a replacement for Sergio Busquets. That will be Oriol Romeu, the fourth signing of the current transfer window after the announcements of Ilkay Gundogan, Inigo Martinez and Vitor Roque. The player has committed himself to the 'Cules' until 30th June 2026 with a clause of 400 million euros.
The Catalan giants announced the move for the 31-year-old midfielder, who is ending his time at Girona. In fact, the player was spotted undergoing a medical before his official signing.
Oriol Romeu arrives at Barcelona 12 years after his departure from the Catalan giants' youth academy. In fact, the player from Tarragona already made his debut with the 'Cule' team in the Spanish Super Cup of the 2010-11 season against Sevilla and with the '37' on his back.
After a 2-season spell at Chelsea and brief spells at Valencia and Stuttgart, the defensive midfielder put down roots at Southampton, where he made 256 official appearances between 2015 and 2023 - 92 wins, 65 draws and 99 defeats.
In this way, Xavi Hernandez strengthens his midfield with Oriol Romeu and Ilkay Gundogan. Both will join Pedri Gonzalez, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong. The futures of Franck Kessie and Nico Gonzalez are still up in the air.