FC Barcelona star announces ’emotional’ departure

A FC Barcelona star has announced his emotional departure from the club via social media.

Barça bought Sergino Dest for a fee of 21 million euros plus an additional 5 million euros in variables in 2020 during the Ronald Koeman era.

He went on to make a total of 72 appearances as a Blaugrana player, 56 of which were as a starter, but was loaned to AC Milan in 2022/23.

Having no place in the sporting project of Koeman’s successor, Xavi Hernandez, another temporary mission followed at PSV in his and Koeman’s home country, the Netherlands.

PSV turned down an opportunity to sign Dest for €11m and therefore did not trigger a purchase option as part of his loan deal for 2023/24.

This was inspired by an ACL injury Dest suffered in May, which CBS Sports It has been reported that he could be sidelined for nine months while ruling him out of the ongoing Copa America with the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT).

Yet last weekend the Catalans announced that an agreement had been reached for PSV to sign Dest permanently in a deal where it appears they have acquired him for free while Barca retain any percentage of a future sale.

A few days after this news became public, Dest took to Instagram to bid farewell to the club.

Sharing a video of himself joining the Blaugrana and playing for them in the Champions League and La Liga, Dest wrote: “This is an emotional moment for me! An incredible club with such a beautiful history!”

“I wish I could see things differently, but sometimes in life things are beyond our control.

“I had a great time, especially the first two years, and I want to thank the fans, the staff, the players and everyone who supported me during these wonderful years.

“May we meet again. Thank you all!” Dest signed.

With Dest’s departure, Barça will try to make Joao Cancelo’s loan permanent in the context of Hector Fort’s graduation from the La Masia academy.

He could face some difficulties, however, as Cancelo’s parent club Manchester City are only interested in selling him, while Barca want another loan with an option to buy according to SPORT.