Barcelona have confirmed that they have reached an agreement with Jordi Alba to terminate his contract at Camp Nou this summer, one year before the end of his deal.
Alba's contract with the Catalan outfit had been due to expire in June 2024, but there has been widespread speculation surrounding a possible exit this summer in recent months.
On Wednesday morning, rumours intensified that the two parties had reached an agreement that would see the left-back end his contract next month.
Barcelona have now confirmed that the long-serving defender will leave on a free transfer at the end of the 2022-23 campaign, allowing him to seek pastures new as a free agent.
"FC Barcelona and Jordi Alba have reached an agreement to terminate the player's contract with the club one year earlier than it was due to expire at the end of the 2023/24 season," read a statement on the club's official website.
"FC Barcelona would like to publicly express its gratitude to Alba for his professionalism, commitment and dedication, and his ever-positive and friendly relationship with all members of the Barca family, and wishes him every fortune in the future. Barca will always be a home for you, Jordi."
Alba made the move to Camp Nou from Valencia in 2012, and he has represented the Catalan outfit on 458 occasions in all competitions, contributing 27 goals and 99 assists in the process.
The 34-year-old has had to accept a reduced role this term, though, featuring 29 times for Xavi's side, scoring twice and providing six assists, with Alejandro Balde moving ahead of him in the pecking order.
Alba will now seek pastures new, and as well as interest from the MLS and Saudi Arabia, Atletico Madrid are believed to be interested in keeping him in Spain.
"I did it in 2012, returning home with a presentation at the Camp Nou that was a unique moment. And eleven seasons later I feel very proud and fully satisfied with everything we have achieved together," Alba said in a thank you video posted on social media.
"Not everything has been pretty, because we have also lived through difficult moments, but we have always come out of them united. I will miss running out at the Camp Nou a lot, feeling the encouragement of the fans, their drive and their affection and their joy in the great moments.
"Who would have told that nine-year-old boy that he began his path full of enthusiasm at the Barça school that he was going to achieve so much with the club of his life? I feel very lucky.
"I want to thank all the culers in the world from the bottom of my heart for the great love you have always given me. Thank you very much. For all this, after much meditating and evaluating, I think the best thing is to step aside and I would like to announce that this season will be my last as a Barça player.
"It hasn't been an easy decision, but I'm leaving happy and calm because I think the culer feeling is the best. See you Sunday at the Camp Nou. Thank you culers and long live Barca."
Alba has won six La Liga titles, five Copa del Rey crowns and the Champions League during his time at Camp Nou, and he will say his goodbyes to the Camp Nou crowd after Sunday's La Liga clash with Mallorca. body check tags ::
