Rodri’s seven-year spell at Manchester City has come to an end after joining Spanish giants Barcelona in a £65million transfer.
The midfielder has signed a four-year contract at the Nou Camp.
It sees the Spain World Cup-winning captain return to play club football in his homeland since leaving Atletico Madrid in 2019 to join City.
Rodri had been linked with Atletico and Barcelona’s bitter rivals Real Madrid this summer but has since joined the LaLiga champions.
‘I’m very happy and excited about this new stage in my career. It’s a fresh challenge, a chance to experience new things and feel that excitement again,” Rodri said.
‘I’ve come to a hugely ambitious club that really suits my personality, so I’ll try to help in every way I can to achieve our objectives this season.’
On the prospect of playing under German manager Hansi Flick, he said: ‘I’m happy to have a coach who I think will bring a lot to my career.
‘It’s a style that I think is somewhat different from what I’ve experienced before, so it will be enriching and help me grow as a player.’
Rodri’s farewell to Manchester City
The 30-year-old leaves City having won 12 major honours, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups and the Champions League in 2023.
In a farewell message to City fans, Rodri said: ‘I am leaving the club with a huge sense of pride about what we have achieved and gratitude too for so many amazing memories.
‘What we have done together in these years is something both very special and unforgettable.
‘City didn’t just make me a grow as a player. They made me grow as a human. I saw my brother graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University.
‘I could see my girlfriend working for the NHS. Manchester shaped my whole life.’
Rodri’s departure is the latest major change at City this summer following Pep Guardiola’s managerial exit and Bernardo Silva’s transfer to Real Madrid.
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