Injury-blighted Umtiti finally leaves Barcelona for Lecce on loan
French defender Samuel Umtiti on Thursday completed a season-long loan move to Italian Serie A side Lecce after being told by Barcelona coach Xavi that he was no longer in the club’s plans.
Several clubs came in for the once-highly rated centre-back, including Girona, Stade Rennes and Greek giants Olympiacos, but he ultimately chose to switch to Italy.
A statement on Barcelona’s website read, “Barcelona and Lecce of Serie A have reached an agreement on the loan of defender Samuel Umtiti until June 30, 2023.”
“Lecce won Italy’s Serie B last season and are now back playing at the highest level of Italian football.”
Barcelona have agreed to pay half of his salary for the duration of the loan, and the deal does not include a buy option for Lecce.
Umtiti joined Barcelona in 2016 from Olympique Lyonnais and enjoyed a fantastic start to his time at the club, playing a crucial role in helping France win the FIFA World Cup in 2018.
His performances at Camp Nou have however been blighted by nagging injuries and poor form, pushing to the back seat in the club’s reckoning.
To play at the 2018 World Cup, the Frenchman chose not to undergo surgery on a troublesome knee and has struggled to regain form and fitness.
He has made 133 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions, winning six trophies, including two La Liga titles.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Education
Kaduna targeting zero out-of-school children in one year, says commissioner
Mr Madaki emphasised the need to prioritise children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Abuja
Police arrest another Abuja driver over fake presidential number plate
The police said the suspect was arrested on Monday at about 2:35 p.m.
Sport
La Liga apologises to China over Mbappé’s Mao meme comment
La Liga said, “To the extent of our institutional responsibility, we apologise on behalf of LALIGA and all its clubs.”
States
Kogi assembly passes state police bill
Mr Yusuf said that State Police occupied a significant place in Nigeria’s nation-building process over the past decades.
Sport
Chinese firms drop Mbappe over Mao meme comment
The footballer has offered apology to the Chinese people, saying his comment was ill-judged.
Africa
AFC, Munich Re sign $1 billion managed debt mobilisation programme to expand trade finance
The AFC’s deputy director and head of syndications, Wole Asase, stated that the arrangement slightly differed from previous agreements.
