Barcelona complete signing of Franck Kessie on free transfer

Kessie, 25, agreed to join Barça earlier this year. But the move only became official on Monday following the expiry of his contract with Milan on June 30.

The Ivory Coast international will have his presentation at the Ciutat Joan Gamper on Wednesday.

Welcome to FC Barcelona, Franck Yannick Kessié! 🇨🇮💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/TKszRTgA11

— Barça Buzz (@Barca_Buzz) July 4, 2022

Barça said: “Kessie was born on 19 December 1996 in Ouragahio in the Ivory Coast. The midfielder started his career at Stella Club d’Adjame in his home country before moving to Italy in 2014 to sign for Atalanta.

“Kessie started in the youth teams at the Bergamo-based club. However, he soon made the jump to the professional level with a loan move to Serie B side Cesena.

“The Ivorian played in midfield and at centre-back for the Emilia Romagna club. He impressed the then Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini to bring him back to Bergamo. There, Kessie gradually became an important first team squad member after scoring twice on his Serie A debut.

“After an excellent 2016/17 season with Atalanta, Kessie attracted the attention of Serie A giants AC Milan. The midfielder signed for the Rossoneri in 2017 on loan before the move was made permanent in the summer of 2019, Milan paying €33 million for him.

“His five seasons with AC Milan showed him to be the complete midfielder, scoring goals, providing assists and working hard defensively. His time at Milan ended on a high with the Ivory Coast international helping the club to their first Serie A title in 11 season in 2021/22.”