Vermaelen completes move to Barcelona
It's a done deal: Thomas Vermaelen is officially a member of Barcelona.
Arsenal confirmed the departure of their captain Saturday, stating the Belgian international agreed to join the Catalan giants in a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee.
Vermaelen captained the Gunners for two seasons, making 150 appearances in total, and scoring 15 goals.
Agreement for T_Vermaelen05 to join FC Barcelona. More information: http://t.co/fg65RrHlI4 RT to welcome him! pic.twitter.com/jxCaGKlNq9
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 9, 2014
The 28-year-old passed his medical in Barcelona on Sunday, according to the club's official website.
Vermaelen found playing time hard to come by with Arsenal after Arsene Wenger entrusted Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny with the starting duties in central defence.
At Barcelona, Vermaelen is expected to start alongside Gerard Pique after the retirement of Carles Puyol.