Barcelona sign Eric Garcia on free transfer and stick eye-watering £344M release clause into ex-Man City ace’s contract

BARCELONA have announced the signing of Eric Garcia on a free transfer from Manchester City.

The defender broke into Pep Guardiola‘s side last season, but rarely featured this time around as speculation rumbled around his future.

Eric Garcia waves goodbye to Man City

Garcia, 20, has now penned a five-year deal at Barcelona containing a £344million release clause, having left the club for City back in 2017.

He becomes the second City player to join Barca on a free in the last few days, after Sergio Aguero signed for the LaLiga giants last week.

Garcia will be officially presented to Barcelona fans later today.

But his unveiling will take place behind closed doors, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He originally joined Barca as an eight-year-old, rising through the ranks before leaving for England at 16.

Garcia went on to make his City debut in 2018, making 35 appearances under Guardiola.

But opportunities dried up this season, with Garcia only starting three Premier League matches.

Regardless, he returns to his boyhood club having won a Premier League title and EFL Cup.

Garcia played for Barca as a kid

BETTING SPECIAL – GET ENGLAND TO WIN EURO 2020 AND HARRY KANE TO BE TOP SCORER AT 22/1

He has also earned seven caps for Spain, and was selected by Luis Enrique for his Euro 2020 squad ahead of Sergio Ramos.

Barcelona’s summer of free transfers isn’t set to stop here, after the arrivals of Aguero and Garcia.

The cash-strapped side are fully expected to sign two of boss Ronald Koeman’s compatriots in the coming weeks.

Midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has said his Liverpool goodbyes, and will join Barca this summer.

And former Manchester United ace Memphis Depay is also likely to sign upon the conclusion of his contract at Lyon.

WIN £50,000!Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game

Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds