Barcelona have announced the signing of Jules Kounde from Sevilla.
The Frenchman has been the centre of a transfer battle between Barcelona and Chelsea, and although the Blues were previously favourites to complete the signing, the La Liga club stepped up their efforts in the last week.
Barcelona recently released a statement to disclose that an agreement had been reached with Sevilla subject to a medical and the necessary paperwork being signed.
The Catalan giants have subsequently confirmed that Kounde passed his medical and put pen to paper on a five-year-deal with the club, which includes a €1,000,000,000 (£838,900,000) buyout clause.
Speaking to the club website, the France international praised his new boss: "The coach Xavi is one of the great reasons why I'm here.
"I've spoken to him several times and the way he spoke was captivating. We had some good conversations, we see football in the same way.
"Now it's a question of coming into the team, doing my best and getting as many minutes as possible."
Commenting further on the move, Kounde added: "I'm very proud and thankful for this opportunity. I'm very excited because I'm arriving at a great club and a great team.
"I'm really looking forward to playing with the team and getting to know my teammates. Sevilla is a great club, but Barca are the next step in my career at every level."
Kounde is the latest summer addition to Barcelona's squad following the arrivals of Andreas Christensen, Franck Kessie, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha.
The centre-back has already taken part in a session at the club's training complex, and he will officially be unveiled on August 1. body check tags ::
