Samuel Umtiti and FC Barcelona ended a collaboration this Friday that dated back to 2016, when he arrived from Lyon. After two promising first seasons in Catalonia, the central defender had several complicated periods on his return from the 2018 World Cup due to a recurring injury to his left knee, notably playing only one match with Barça during the 2021-2022 season.
Wearing the Blaugrana tunic 133 times (83 times in his first two seasons, 50 in the following four), the former Lyonnais decided to revive last season by being loaned to Lecce. A regenerative loan for him, putting Italy at their feet after a full season with 25 matches in Serie A.
While he had three years left on his contract with Barça, the club told him “to express their gratitude […] and wish him much luck and success in the future”.
