Sevilla midfielder’s move to La Liga rivals confirmed by the Catalan side.
Barcelona have confirmed the long-rumoured capture of Ivan Rakitic, with the Sevilla midfielder now officially a member of the squad at the Nou Camp.
Rakitic is currently with the Croatia squad at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and started the opening defeat to hosts Brazil alongside Luke Modric, a player who will now become an adversary with Barcelona’s bitter rivals Real Madrid.
The 26 year-old enjoyed a superb season for Sevilla, impressing particularly in the Europa League final victory over Benfica when many saw the Croatian as the most influential player on the pitch.
Rakitic has over 60 caps for his nation and is at his best in a more advanced midfield area, a position that Niko Kovac may look to move him into for the clash with Cameroon after a deeper role in the opening game.
For Barcelona he is likely to replace Cesc Fabregas in the squad, with the Spanish international having completed his controversial move to Chelsea last week.
He becomes the first senior signing to be made by new Barcelona manager Luis Enrique, who arrived at the Nou Camp to replace Gerardo Martino from fellow La Liga side Celta Vigo.
Barcelona missed out on any trophies last season, missing out on the La Liga title to Atletico Madrid on the last day of the season and losing the Copa del Rey final to Real Madrid, disappointments that Rakitic will be looking to help the club put behind them when he arrives after the World Cup.