Barcelona Terminates Samuel Umtiti's Contract

JAKARTA - Barcelona has officially terminated the contract of centre-back Samuel Umtiti. The Spanish League Club's decision came out even though the player's contract will end in the upcoming 2025/2026 season.

"FC Barcelona and defender Samuel Umtiti have reached an agreement to terminate the player's contract, which should end in the 2025/2026 season," wrote an official FC Barcelona statement, citing Antara.

Previously, Barcelona had loaned the French defender to Italian Serie A club Lecce in the 2022/2023 season.

Umtiti was brought in from French Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyon to the Spotify Camp Nou stadium in 2016.

During his partnership with Gerard Pique at the back, Umtiti made 75 appearances and scored two goals for the Blaugrana.

"After winning the World Cup with the French national team in 2018, injury problems hampered his career development. He didn't get many minutes to play on the field and decided to move to Italy (loan period) to get playing minutes," wrote Barcelona's official statement.

Umtiti often suffers from prolonged injuries after winning the 2018 World Cup. For five seasons, Umtiti has suffered from a history of injuries including a knee injury in 2020 and had suffered a metatarsal fracture in his right leg in 2022.

During his loan spell at Lecce, Umtiti was only able to make 25 appearances because he rarely took to the field due to frequent fitness problems.

Currently Barcelona has not moved in the summer transfer market to sign a player in the center back position. The Blaugrana need at least one centre-back to fill in the post left by Gerard Pique and the departure of Samuel Umtiti.

During this summer's transfer window, Barcelona have secured the signature of Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan. While several reports said Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte was also linked with being brought in following Gundogan to the Spotify Camp Nou stadium.