The Catalan club's first summer recruit, Kessié has signed until June 30, 2026 and "his release clause is set at 500 million euros", said Barça in its press release on Monday.
The former AC Milan player signed his contract on Tuesday lunchtime at Barca's training center, then was presented by club president Joan Laporta and donned the Blaugrana kit for the first time for a series juggling and a toro with children from the club.
"Welcome, Franck Kessié. We are very happy with this recruit: Ivorian, midfielder, a great professional. It was he who wanted to come to Barça, and that's what we want. From his country, we had a player like (Yaya) Touré who had a great performance here. I'm sure Franck will be an important player for Barça. Xavi wanted a player with these characteristics, and the club worked very well to convince him to come “, detailed Laporta.
The Ivorian international also said he "spoke with + Ibra + (Zlatan Ibrahimovic, editor's note), and he told me that I was joining a good club".
"When I spoke with Xavi, he made me understand the value he placed on my work and the importance I was going to have in the team," he pointed out.
The midfielder also revealed the origin of his nickname, the 'president': "one day I parked in the president's place. They asked me to change places, but I told them that from now on, I was the president. And the nickname stuck with me," Kessié said with a smile.
Kessié will participate in his first training under Xavi's orders this Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. (Paris time) at the FC Barcelona training center.
© 2022 AFP