Ivorian midfielder Kessie joins Barcelona on 4-year contract

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Barcelona announced on Monday that Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie agreed to a four-year deal with the Spanish football club.

"Franck Kessie is a player who contribute in attack and in defence. Capable of winning the ball back in midfield, the African midfielder also has impressive stats as a goalscorer, partly due to his ability to make runs into the penalty area," Barcelona said in a statement.

Barcelona added that Kessie would play for them until the end of June 2026 and his buyout clause would be €500 million ($522 million).

Kessie began his career at Stella Club d'Adjame in his home country before coming to Italy in 2014 to join Atalanta.

He previously played for Cesena and AC Milan and helped the Rossoneri claim the 2021-22 Serie A title.

The 25-year-old scored 37 goals and 16 assists in 223 matches during his Milan career.