Anthony Gordon has been unveiled as a Barcelona player after leaving Newcastle United in a deal worth more than 80m euros (£69.3m).
The England forward, 25, has signed a contract with the La Liga champions until 2031.
He underwent a medical with the club on Thursday.
Gordon Speaks Spanish at Presentation
Delays with paperwork meant Gordon had to wait close to eight hours before being officially introduced as a Barca player at the Camp Nou.
He said: “Very, very excited, though it was kind of hard to wait.
“I knew it would happen. I have been very calm at the hotel with my family and agents. It’s stuff I don’t understand. All my part was done, I was ready. It was stuff above me – legal things and very small details.”
Gordon spoke in Spanish during his presentation and said he learned the language because he believed he “would play for Barca as a kid”.
“There was a physio in Newcastle and we spoke every day. I told him one day I would play for Barca and wanted to learn Spanish,” he added.
“I found out very late [of Barcelona’s interest]. But as soon as I knew Barca were a serious option, there wasn’t any question.
“Barca are the biggest club on the planet. It is stuff I dreamed [about] as a child.”
Newcastle’s Perspective on Gordon’s Departure
Gordon spent three and-a-half years with the Magpies after joining from Everton in January 2023, making 152 appearances, and was their top scorer this season with 17 goals in all competitions.
Gordon will fly out with the England squad to the United States on Monday for a training camp before the World Cup, which starts on 11 June.
He will join compatriot Marcus Rashford at Barca, but the Spanish club are yet to trigger an option to make the 28-year-old forward’s loan move from Manchester United permanent for £26m.
- Newcastle were in a strong position to command a premium for Gordon as he still had four years left to run on his contract at St James’ Park.
- He was left on the bench for the final four Premier League games of the campaign by head coach Eddie Howe.
- Fans briefly sang his name following their 2-0 defeat at Fulham on the last day.
“While we’re disappointed to lose Anthony, we understand that this is a big opportunity for him,” Howe told the club’s website.
“He leaves with our best wishes, and I am confident that he will go on to be a success, both with Barcelona and the national team at this year’s World Cup.”
Everton are in line to receive 15% of the profit Newcastle make on Gordon after selling the academy graduate in a deal worth up to £45m.
Newcastle’s Summer Plans
Last summer was a turbulent one for Newcastle, particularly without an executive structure in place.
However, boss Howe believed the club would be in a position to make smarter and