FC Barcelona have confirmed on their official website and Twitter account that they have signed Samuel Umtiti to a five year contract. The Catalan club reportedly paid 25 million Euros for his transfer Lyon. His buyout clause after transferring from the French club will be 60 million Euros.
[OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT]@FCBarcelona sign French defender @UmtitiSam
More info: #UmtitiFCB https://t.co/e8G946erZz pic.twitter.com/HoT5ZsdV48— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 12, 2016
This is a key signing for Barca as they are need of a new defender with the departure of Marc Bartra. Age is a factor as well, as Gerard Pique is the only other center-back at Barca under the age of 30.
Umtiti has plenty of first team experience despite his young age, he had been a first-team player at Lyon since 2011 and went on to make 170 appearance for Lyon.
After being called up by the French National team for the European Championships this summer, injuries on the squad propelled him into a starting role in the quarterfinals, where he played exceptionally well and helped lead France to the final. In the quarterfinal matchup vs. Iceland, Umtiti completed all of his passes in the game.
Samuel Umtiti completed 100% of his passes vs. #ISL
Barcelona DNA. pic.twitter.com/UGwpyKERBc
— Squawka (@Squawka) July 4, 2016
In fact, Umtiti’s passing was impressive in the semifinals and the final as well.
Umtiti completed 93 of his 100 passes. He has misplaced just 9 of his passes in the #EURO2016 .
— Micky (@BusiFCB) July 10, 2016
It is Barcelona’s second signing of the summer, with the return of Denis Suarez being the first. He will be key to bringing youth to an aging Barca squad. He looks like he be a good fit for the Catalans.
