Barcelona Football Club has officially announced the signing of defender Inigo Martinez on a free transfer after the conclusion of his contract with Athletic Bilbao. The 32-year-old centre-back, who is also an international player for Spain, will join Barcelona on a contract that extends until 2025. This move aligns with the club’s recent strategy of acquiring experienced players without incurring any transfer fees.

Barcelona’s recent signings of Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City, Andreas Christensen from Chelsea, and Franck Kessie from AC Milan have all been on similar terms, as the club takes advantage of players whose contracts have expired. Follow your favourite La Liga team with attractive football betting odds from Empire777.

According to a statement released by the Spanish champions, Martinez will sign a two-season deal that will run until June 30, 2025. Additionally, his contract will include a release clause of 400 million euros ($435 million).

Having started his professional career at Real Sociedad, Martinez spent seven seasons with the club in the top flight before making the move to Athletic Bilbao in January 2017. Athletic paid his buy-out clause of 32 million euros ($35 million), which remains a record fee for the club.

During his time at Athletic, Martinez made 177 appearances, scoring eight goals, and achieved success by winning the Spanish Super Cup in 2021. He also reached two Copa del Rey finals, showcasing his defensive prowess and contributing to the team’s achievements.

With the acquisition of Inigo Martinez, Barcelona aims to strengthen its defensive line and bolster the squad ahead of the upcoming season. The experienced defender’s presence is expected to bring stability and expertise to the team, as they strive to compete for major honors in domestic and international competitions. Get the latest updates from the La Liga only on Empire777 Sports.