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It is official: Bojan Krkic is no longer a FC Barcelona player, as the former Blaugrana striker will join Premier League's Stoke City next season, the club announced on Tuesday. Stoke also confirmed the news.
Bojan will sign a four-year contract with the Potters, for an undisclosed fee. Barça will also get a part of a future transfer deal whenever Stoke decides to sell him.
Here's a part of Barça's statement on the transfer:
"After spending nearly his entire footballing life at FC Barcelona, Bojan Krkic says goodbye to his Club. The Catalan forward, who was always one step ahead of his age in terms of skill and quality, leaves the Club with the distinction of being the all-time highest scorer in the Barça youth system. His tally from all his years at La Masia exceeds the 400-goal mark. He also performed well when he shared the senior side dressing room with some of the best forwards on the planet. First he vied for a starting spot with Eto’o, and then with Ibrahimovic and Leo Messi. During his four seasons on the first team (2007-2011), he scored a total of 26 goals."
Stoke Chief Exectuive, Tony Scholes, had this to say regarding the deal:
"We are delighted to have signed such a richly talented and exciting player, who is still only 23.
"A number of other clubs had expressed an interest in him but Bojan believes joining Stoke City will benefit his career and we have no doubts he will prove to be a wonderful addition to our squad.
"The signing of Bojan, along with the other players we have recruited ahead of the new season, underlines the progress we are making as a Club."Source: StokeCityFC.com
"Anyone who knows European football will be aware of him as a player and the fact that he sees his future at Stoke City is really exciting and an endorsement of the Club itself.
"He's desperate to prove himself in the Premier League and we're pleased to be able to offer him that platform.
"The time he spends with the squad in Germany will help him settle in and will give myself and the coaches the chance to take a good look at him."
Source: StokeCityFC.com
