"Barcelona" announced on its official website that it has completed negotiations with London's "Arsenal" club for the transfer of defender Thomas Vermaelen to the Catalan ranks.
The captain of the "Gunners", who lost his starting position in the team over the past two seasons, was added to "Barca" for a sum of 19 million euros, and signed a five-year contract with the Spanish vice champions.
After the World Cup, rumors spread in the media that the Belgian national team member would join "Manchester United", but the team led by Luis Enrique outpaced the "Red Devils" in the race for the defender's acquisition.
"Barcelona" and "Arsenal" reached an agreement on the acquisition of the Belgian footballer, who signed a five-year contract with the club," - announced on the Catalan team's website.
28-year-old T.Vermaelen arrived at "Arsenal" in 2009, when Arsene Wenger did not hesitate to pay 12 million euros to Amsterdam's "Ajax" club.
During his time in the FA Cup-winning team, the Belgian played 150 matches and scored 15 goals.
