After a magnificent 11 years in the Barcelona first-team, Jordi Alba is expected to follow Sergio Busquets out of the club this summer as a free agent.
Barcelona full-back Jordi Alba is set to make his exit from the Catalan club as a free agent come the end of this season, according to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The 34-year-old is under contract until 2024, but it seems both player and club have settled on an agreement to part ways earlier than planned.
🚨 Jordi Alba leaves Barcelona. Spanish left back will part ways with the club — it’s over after many years together. 🔵🔴 #FCB
Alba will try new chapter as free agent. pic.twitter.com/aUJByGFdTQ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 24, 2023
The news comes after a mixed campaign for Alba. The Catalan started only 13 times in LaLiga, with Alejandro Balde becoming the first-choice left-back. He has, therefore, decided the time is right to leave.
Sunday’s home match against Mallorca will likely be the player’s last appearance at the Spotify Camp Nou.
After initially joining Barcelona’s academy in 1998, Alba departed in 2005 and ventured into stints with Cornella and Valencia. However, in 2012, he made a triumphant return to Barca in a noteworthy €14 million transfer.
Since then, Alba has made a remarkable 458 appearances for the first team. He has amassed an impressive collection of honors, including six LaLiga titles, five Copa del Rey crowns, and a Champions League triumph.
Barcelona and Alba are yet to make an official announcement at the time of writing.