Marc Bartra says goodbye in heartfelt social media letter

Marc Bartra has taken to social media to share his feelings following <strong>confirmation of his move to Borussia Dortmund</strong>.

In a long, heartfelt and emotional letter, Bartra looks back on his time at the club and shows gratitude for those he encountered on the way.

This is what he had to say:

"To think that it is over 14 years ago that a certain young boy came to Barça, at 11-years-old, alongside his twin brother Eric, and accompanied by his parents Josep and Montse. With as much enthusiasm as a child could have, the excitement at wearing the shirt and colours that he felt so deeply since birth. The two of us with the same dream, to play in the FC Barcelona first team. It seemed a pipe dream, almost impossible, but in my case I achieved it.

Little by little, sacrificing time with family and friends to go and train or play matches each week, seeing team mates come and go each season. Where with each year that passed, everything was more difficult and the competition and demand tougher in each training session and match...

Until maturing without realising how the years have flown, and the good and bad moments continue, and there comes a time to decide whether to keep studying, to devote 100% of my time to football or combine both at La Masia. That is the place where I made giant strides in every aspect. I can say that, thanks to my time at La Masia, I was able to give my best and make the transition to Barça B, and two years later, achieve my boyhood dream. A dream that I had desired, felt and fought for so much: to be a Barça first team player. There I have had the pleasure of experiencing from within some great successes with the best team in the world.

These four years as a Barça first teamer have been incredible, intense, hard, with some amazing moments and others not so much, but above all moments that have been unique and unforgettable.

Thanks to every single one of my team mates, the best in the world, who have allowed me to learn from their best qualities as professionals and people. With direct and indirect pieces of advice, that I have remembered in order to continue to grow. To those people who surround the players, managers, directors, presidents, physios, doctors, kitmen, delegates, cooks and those in security, press officers, La Masia and training complex workers.

And now, above all, I want to give special thanks to every single Barça fan. The fondness and love that you have made me feel every day I have been in this home have served me to keep moving forward, fighting and making sense of all the work I put in to keep defending this team and our colours.

I leave with my head held high, safe in the knowledge that I have given my all whenever needed and in every training session and match that arrived. I continue my journey, to keep evolving with Meli (Bartra's wife) and little Gala (daughter) and my people who unconditionally have always been at my side. I know that everything I have experienced has helped to form who I am and to be able to continue doing what I love, and achieve new goals and begin new paths that allow me to continue to dream more than ever. And I move on with a cool head, to be able to do what needs to be done with logic, but a warm heart to continue with passion and a will to keep growing as a player and person.

Despite the distance I will keep loving and enjoying Barça, as one more 'culer'. See you soon!

Continue believing, to continue creating!!!

Marc."