Barcelona sign Thomas Vermaelen from Arsenal on five-year deal
The 28-year-old defender joined Arsenal in 2009 after a nine-year stint at Ajax and quickly became a fans' favourite while also being promoted to club captain. Vermaelen's career has been hampered by injury and he made only 21 appearances in the 2013-14 season after falling behind Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker in the pecking order.
Barça's defence was a weak point last season, when they failed to win major silverware for the first time in six years, and their coach, Gerardo Martino, was replaced by the former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Luis Enrique.
Vermaelen will compete for a place with Gerard Piqué, the Frenchman Jeremy Mathieu, who joined last month from Valencia, and the Barça academy graduate Marc Bartra, .according to The Guardian .
Javier Mascherano has mostly played in central defence since joining Barcelona from Liverpool in 2010 but after his performances in midfield for Argentina at the World Cup he is widely expected to feature there for the club next term. Barça start the Spanish campaign, when they will be chasing a fifth title in seven years, at home to Elche on 24 August.
"Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Thomas for his contribution during his time at the club and wish him well for the future," read an Arsenal statement.
