After passing his medicals and signing his contract, Former Lyon Star, Abidal officially became an FC Barcelona player.


Éric Abidal has signed a four-year contract with FC Barcelona, worth 15 Million Euros, with a buy-out clause of 90 Million Euros. The French star will stay in Barcelona till 2011. Also in the deal, Abidal's former club, Olympique Lyonnaise will receive an additional 500,000 Euros if Barca win the UEFA Champions League within the next four years. Abidal will be wearing the Number 22 shirt at FC Barcelona next season and will pay from the left full back position. The French star expressed satisfaction and relief on finally signing the Barcelona contract. Eric says:

It has always been my ambition to play for Barça. Now the goal is the same as always, to carry on winning.
I thank everyone who made this transfer of mine possible. I will give my all to Barcelona.

The French International already has friends in Camp Nou even before coming, as Barca defender, Lilian Thuram along with new signing from Arsenal FC, Thierry Henry are Abidal's friends from the French National team. Toure Yaya also speaks French. Thuram provided Abidal a lot of inside information about the Blaugrana before the move from Lyon to FC Barcelona.

In response, FC Barcelona's Sporting Director, Txiki Begiristain said on the signing of Eric Abidal:

We want to achieve some balance. If we are going to have great forwards, we also have to be strong at the back. The left-back position is one that could be improved. Abidal is a player who is incredibly professional, very quick and fits all the criteria. He can go forward and is very strong at the back.

Abidal is a quality defender of high repute and his inclusion in the FC Barcelona team will definitely fortify the defence of the Catalan giants.


Abidal also scores when he surges forward. View a beautiful goal in one of such occassions:

Also watch Abidal's brave performance for France at the penalty shootout against Italy in the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final Match: