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Seven years in the club and many trophies won - that's Rafael Marquez's career in the team. However, everything comes to an end.
The newspaper "El Mundo Deportivo" announces that next week the defender's transfer to the "New York Red Bulls" team will be officially announced.
"Barcelona" will release R. Marquez without any ransom, and the contract valid for two more years will be terminated by mutual agreement.
In the summer of 2003, the Catalan club bought the defender from "Monaco" for 5 million euros.
Over seven seasons at "Barca," R. Marquez impressively added to his collection of trophies. The Mexican became the Spanish champion four times, won the country's Supercup three times, triumphed in the Champions League twice, lifted the King's Cup, European Supercup, and Club World Cup once each.
R. Marquez is the longest-serving foreign player in the current "Barcelona" squad.
The player was planning to decide on his future after the World Cup. "Barcelona" gave the footballer complete freedom of choice - if he wished, he could stay in Catalonia, if he wanted to leave - the club would release him without a ransom.
It is believed that the defender decided to leave because he wanted to spend more time on the field, and he was assigned a secondary role in the current "Barca." R. Marquez gradually lost the competition to the younger Gerard Pique, and later to the recovered Gabriel Milito after an injury.
It is reported that the 31-year-old footballer will sign a four-year contract with the "New York Red Bulls." In this team, R. Marquez will play alongside former "Arsenal" and "Barcelona" star Thierry Henry.
According to the newspaper "El Mundo Deportivo," next week "Barcelona" will officially announce the Mexican's departure and hold a special farewell ceremony.
