Barcelona: Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen join on free transfers 

Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen are Barcelona's first signings of the summer Barcelona have announced the signings of Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen on free transfers. Ivorian midfielder Kessie, 25, joins from AC Milan, while Danish defender Christensen, 26, comes in from Chelsea. Both players have signed four-year deals and their releases clauses are set at 500m Euros (£430m). Kessie played 224 times for the Rossoneri, scoring 39 goals, and helped the club to their first Serie A title in 11 years last season. Christensen came through the youth academy at Stamford Bridge and played a total of 161 times for the Blues, while also spending two seasons on-loan at Borussia Monchengladbach. He won the Champions League, Europa League, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup with Chelsea. Brazil midfielder Philippe Coutinho has left the Nou Camp this summer, joining Aston Villa on a permanent deal for £18m, while forward Ousmane Dembele and right-back Dani Alves left after their contracts expired. Meanwhile, Manchester United have reached a broad agreement over a 65m euro (£56m) fee, plus add-ons, with Barcelona for the Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

Andreas Christensen: Barcelona sign former Chelsea defender on free transfer 

© PA Andreas Christensen Barcelona have signed Denmark defender Andreas Christensen following the end of his contract at Chelsea. Christensen moves to the Spanish giants on a four-year deal, with his buy-out clause set at 500million euros (£447million). The 26-year-old will be officially presented as a Barcelona player on Thursday, the LaLiga club have announced. Barcelona said in a statement on the club website: “Christensen is a powerful centre-back who is excellent in the air. Technically proficient with the ball at his feet also, he is a perfect fit for the Blaugrana back four.” Gallery: Bundesliga transfer window 2022 - updates (DW) Christensen joined Chelsea from Brondby in February 2012 and was part of the team which won the 2020–21 Champions League. After his departure from Stamford Bridge was confirmed at the end of the season, Christensen wrote on Instagram: “I was a young boy at Chelsea with all the hopes and fears of a player starting his career, I’m grateful to the whole club for making my dream come true. “Having spent 10 amazing years at this club, I felt now was the right time for a new beginning for me and my family. “Mentally the last few months have been tough as it’s not been an easy decision to leave this club and the fans.” From news to politics, travel to sport, culture to climate – The Independent has a host of free newsletters to suit your interests. To find the stories you want to read, and more, in your inbox, click here.

Barcelona confirm Andreas Christensen signing on free transfer after Chelsea exit… and has hefty £430m release clause 

BARCELONA have confirmed the signing of Andreas Christensen on a free transfer. The centre-back arrives from Chelsea, having left London after ten years. 2 Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Andreas Christensen on a free transfer.Credit: Reuters And amazingly, his buyout clause has been set at €500million (£430m) after signing a four-year deal. A statement read: "FC Barcelona and Andreas Bødtker Christensen have reached an agreement for the player to join the Club after his contract with Chelsea FC came to an end.

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