Barcelona confirms Rakitic signing
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E-mail Xinhua, June 17, 2014
FC Barcelona made official the signing of Croatian international midfielder, Ivan Rakitic from Sevilla on Monday.
Rakitic, who is with the Croatian squad currently contesting the World Cup in Brazil, has agreed a five-year deal with Barca and has cost the Catalan club 20 million euros (27 million US dollars), plus the loan of Barcelona B-team player Denis Suarez for two years.
Rakitic arrives at Barcelona on the back of an excellent season in which he was one of the key players in Sevilla' s conquest of the Europa League.
The midfielder made 59 appearances for the club last season, scoring 15 goals in the process.
He is Barca' s second signing for the coming season, following the arrival of goalkeeper Ter Stegen. Meanwhile the club has also decided to recall Rafinha Alcantara and Gerard Deulofeu from their respective loan spells at Celta Vigo and Everton.
The arrival of Rakitic will serve to increase the doubts over the future of veteran Spain international, Xavi Hernandez at Barca. Prior to the confirmation of Rakitic' s arrival there have been rumors that Xavi is considering an offer to play in Qatar given that he can expect fewer first team opportunities next season and now Rakitic has been confirmed, the 34-year-old may prefer to end his exceptional career elsewhere.
Barca have already confirmed the sale of Cesc Fabrigas to Chelsea and are looking to offload Alex Song as well this summer.
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