Sergi Roberto has signed a new Barcelona contract that runs until 2023. The 30-year-old Catalan, whose contract was set to expire in June, has extended his stay for another season.
The player went to the Camp Nou on Friday afternoon to sign the new deal. The deal has a release clause set at 400 million euros.
Huge Pay-Cut
Sergi Roberto has reportedly accepted a 60 per cent salary cut to stay at Barca. The Spaniard will earn 5 million euros per year as the club continues to try to reduce its wage bill. Barcelona’s debts reached 1.3 billion euros at the start of last season, with almost 390 million euros related to player salaries.
The Spain international, who can also play at right-back, earns around 12 million euros annually net plus bonuses. His new deal is worth 5 million euros annually net with reduced bonuses.
Sergi Roberto is yet to play under Xavi Hernandez at Barca after a hamstring ruled him out for the majority of last season.
After coming through the youth teams at La Masia, Sergi Roberto made his first-team debut in 2011 at the age of 19. He has since gone on to make 316 appearances for the club, with his versatility especially valuable, given he has played both central midfield and right back.
It took a long time for Barca and Roberto to reach an agreement and there were moments it looked like he would leave, but he has finally agreed to stay.
The player from Reus in the south of Catalonia was at the centre of one of the most memorable moments in recent Barca history, scoring the all-important final goal in the 6-1 comeback win against PSG in the Champions League. With the first team, Sergi Roberto has won 23 trophies: two Champions League titles, six league championships, five Spanish Super Cups, two European Super Cups and two World Club Cups. In 316 official appearances, he has scored 12 goals and provided 37 assists.
“I’m very happy,” Sergi Roberto said to Barcelona’s own media channels. “Xavi told me to put my injury behind me and have the operation, and from the first moment, he showed me his confidence in me.
“I will repay his confidence with results on the pitch. I’ve been at this club for half my life, and I hope to enjoy it again and bring joy back to the fans.
“We all have to be united and do our bit. I have already done that. And now I have to work and give 100 percent.”
