Samuel Umtiti has left FC Barcelona after his contract was terminated by mutual consent. The French defender joined the Catalan club in 2016 and went on to win two La Liga titles and three Copa del Rey trophies.
However, his career at Barcelona was often disrupted by injury, and he made just 133 appearances for the club in seven years. Umtiti spent last season on loan at Lecce in Italy, where he played 25 games. He is now expected to return to Ligue 1, with Lyon reportedly interested in re-signing him.
Samuel Umtiti’s Departure:
- He was under contract with Barcelona until 2026, but the club agreed to terminate his contract early in order to save on wages.
- Umtiti had been linked with a move away from Barcelona for several months, but the termination of his contract brings an end to his seven-year stay at the club.
- He is now free to sign for any club, and Lyon are reportedly interested in re-signing him.
- Umtiti’s departure is the latest in a series of changes at Barcelona this summer. The club have also announced the departures of Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Gerard Pique.
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FC Barcelona said in a statement: “With two league titles and three cups, Samuel Umtiti is now severing ties completely with Barça, but will be taking away memories as fond as those that the club will have of him,”
Samuel Umtiti’s tenure with FC Barcelona was marked by both highs and lows. He joined the Catalan club in 2016 and quickly established himself as one of the best defenders in the world. He was a key member of the Barcelona team that won the treble in 2015-16, and he also won two La Liga titles and three Copa del Rey trophies during his time at the club.
Samuel Umtiti’s Tenure:
- He was named the 2016 Golden Boy award winner, which is given to the best player under the age of 21 in Europe.
- He was a regular starter for Barcelona during his first few seasons at the club, but he began to struggle with injuries in 2018.
- He was diagnosed with a chronic knee injury in 2019, and he underwent surgery in 2020.
- He has not played for the French national team since 2018.
- He is now expected to return to Ligue 1, with Lyon reportedly interested in re-signing him.
Overall, Samuel Umtiti’s tenure with FC Barcelona was a mixed bag. He showed flashes of brilliance at times, but he was also plagued by injuries. His departure from the club marks the end of an era, but it also opens up an opportunity for a new generation of defenders to step up.