Sevilla re-sign Barcleona midfielder Ivan Rakitic

 

Sevilla have confirmed the return of Ivan Rakitic from LaLiga rivals Barcelona on a two-year deal running until the summer of 2022.

 

Rakitic has spent the last six years at Barcelona after signing from Sevilla in a £16m deal in 2014.

 

The Croatia international has been a great servant for Barcelona in that time but gradually fell out of favour among supporters last season.

 

With the club in financial turmoil, Barcelona have agreed to sell Rakitic back to Sevilla for an initial €1.5m (£1.34m) fee rising to €9m (£8m).

 

Rakitic had entered the final 12 months of his Barcelona contract and has agreed a significant pay-cut in order to join Sevilla.

 

Sevilla re-sign Barcleona midfielder Ivan Rakitic

 

The 2019/20 Europa League winners have now bolstered their midfield ranks with a signing from Real Madrid and Barcelona following Oscar Rodriguez's move from the former.

 

Rakitic made 31 league appearances for Barcelona last season but only 16 starts in that time. In six years at Barcelona, Rakitic played a direct hand in 52 goals in 168 LaLiga appearances.