FC Barcelona have completed their second signing of the summer, as they unveiled the capture of centre-back Samuel Umtiti from Olympique Lyon on a five-year-deal.
The Catalan club made the announcement on their official website, declaring that they had to part with €25 million in order to land Umtiti’s signature.
✒️✒️ @UmtitiSam is @FCBarcelona‘s second signing for the 2016/17 season. Full details: https://t.co/sdDarWNn5x pic.twitter.com/RLKDomrDPY
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 13, 2016
Barca say Umtiti fee is €25m, release clause will be €60m, deal subject to medical on Friday before being presented to fans & media.
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) July 12, 2016
Umtiti has caught the attention of the international footballing community during the the 2016 European Championship in France, where he got his international debut for the hosts in the quarterfinal against Iceland. The 22-year-old’s performance for Les Bleus has generated a lot of interest in him, with Barcelona being quick to snap up the young defender.
Thank god we signed Umtiti BEFORE the Euros. Given the current market can’t believe we got him for 25 million. pic.twitter.com/k0MxbXBHtr
— totalBarça (@totalBarca) July 12, 2016
Barcelona securing their defence for the next few years with Digne and Umtiti. Interesting with the former considering Alba is still there.
— Jonas Giæver (@CheGiaevara) July 12, 2016
Interestingly, Umtiti’s statistics during the Euros will only go on to make the Barcelona fans happy, as he is someone who can play smart passes from defence.
Samuel Umtiti completed 95% of his passes for France at Euro 2016.
Perfect fit for Barcelona. https://t.co/bxZvfo4gfT
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 12, 2016
Umtiti had some great passes in yesterday’s final. Did well to play vertical and find players between lines. pic.twitter.com/kogsnZpIvE
— WM Formation (@TheWMformation) July 11, 2016
A couple of fans even ventured as far as comparing Umtiti to a couple of Barcelona greats — Carles Puyol and Eric Abidal. Here are a few of the best reactions we found on Twitter.
Welcome to Barcelona #UmtitiFCB pic.twitter.com/JqECV3xq8U
— Visca Barça (@MatadorGuaje) July 12, 2016
@FCBarcelona @UmtitiSam welcome to the best football club in the world, I see you as Eric Abidal successor. You are welcome #UmtitiFCB
— Somiilove (@ezechukwu_somto) July 12, 2016
Umtiti for €25m looked an absolute bargain right up until he seemed to decide prob no harm letting Eder have a go from that far out.
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) July 12, 2016
@FCBarcelona @UmtitiSam Pay your taxes my friend
— MeatBadness (@MeatBadness) July 12, 2016