Done deal: Eric Garcia returns to Barcelona after four years with Manchester City

Barca on a shoestring budget, but at least they are making notable additions to their squad. After yesterday’s signing of Sergio Aguero, the Catalans have signed yet another Manchester City player – defender Eric Garcia. With the club troubled by financial troubles, it’s well worth noting that both players arrived as free agents following the expiration of their respective contracts in England.

Eric Garcia’s story is a bit different to Aguero’s. The 20-year old stopper was picked up by the Citizens from Barcelona when he was only a boy. Today, he is returning to the club where he spent years in the academy before joining City in 2017.

The Spain international has long held a desire to return to his hometown club and the move was agreed in principle with the defender months ago. Garcia, who is also part of Spain's Euro 2020 squad, will be unveiled as a Barcelona but will officially join on 1 July when his contract in Manchester is officially expired.

The promising centre-back has signed a deal until the end of the 2025/26 season, which includes a buy-out clause of $490 million.

Eric was keen on returning to his boyhood club and as agreed to lower his wage demands significantly compared to the money he was pocketing in England. There were other clubs offering him a chance to remain in the Premier League, but his desire was to return to Camp Nou and become a first-teamer with the club he’d first joined as a child.

It's official: Sergio Aguero signs for Barcelona

During his time at City, Garcia managed 35 appearances and earned a Premier League winners medal for the 2020/21 season.

It is understood that Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, whose contract also expires this summer, will become Barcelona's next signing on a free as the club continues to do business on a tight budget.