FC Barcelona have announced the signing of midfielder Franck Kessie. He was a free agent after his contract with AC Milan expired last month. The 25-year-old Ivory Coast international joins on a four-year deal until June 30, 2026.

Franck Kessie had verbally agreed to join the Catalans earlier this year but the move was made official on July 4, 2022. He will be officially presented at the Ciutat Joan Gamper on Wednesday, 6th July. 

The club will be able to register the signing after their sale of 10% of the La Liga TV rights to Sixth Street Partners which has allowed them to balance their financial books. FC Barcelona were reportedly able to raise €267 million from the sale.

Franck Kessie will be only the second Ivorian to play for FC Barcelona after Yaya Toure. He has 58 international caps with Ivory Coast and won the Serie A with AC Milan in the 2021/22 season. Kessie made 223 appearances for AC Milan and scored 37 goals. The midfielder was also named in the Serie A team of the Year for 2020-21 

Franck Kessie wages, buy-out clause and other potential signings

FC Barcelona have reportedly offered the midfielder €6.5 million in annual wages along with added performance bonuses. Kessie also has a €500 million buy-out clause in case any club wishes to sign him before his contract expires with the Camp Nou-based club.

Franck Kessie will reportedly be joined by another free agent, Andreas Christensen. FC Barcelona are also in the race to sign Robert Lewandowski from FC Bayern and Raphinha from Leeds United.