Official: Barcelona complete signing of Franck Kessie on free transfer
The midfielder makes the move to Camp Nou after the expiry of his Milan contract
Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Franck Kessie from AC Milan on a free transfer. The midfielder has agreed a contract until 2026 with a release clause of €500 million.
Kessie, 25, agreed to join Barça earlier this year but the move was only made official on Monday following the expiry of his contract with Milan on June 30.
The Ivory Coast international will be officially presented at the Ciutat Joan Gamper on Wednesday.
Barça said: "Kessie was born on 19 December 1996 in Ouragahio in the Ivory Coast. The midfielder started his career at Stella Club d'Adjame in his home country before moving to Italy in 2014 to sign for Atalanta.
"Kessie started in the youth teams at the Bergamo-based club and he soon made the jump to the professional level with a loan move to Serie B side Cesena.
"The Ivorian played in midfield and at centre-back for the Emilia Romagna club and impressed enough for new Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini to bring him back to Bergamo with Kessie gradually becoming an important first team squad member after scoring twice on his Serie A debut.
"After an excellent 2016/17 season with Atalanta, Kessie attracted the attention of Serie A giants AC Milan. The midfielder signed for the Rossoneri in 2017 on loan before the move was made permanent in the summer of 2019, Milan paying €33 million for him.
"His five seasons with AC Milan showed him to be the complete midfielder, scoring goals, providing assists and working hard defensively. His time at Milan ended on a high with the Ivory Coast international helping the club to their first Serie A title in 11 season in 2021/22."
