Barcelona Captain Carles Puyol Confirms Summer Departure

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has announced his intention to leave the Catalan club at the end of the current season.

The 35-year-old Spain defender has agreed to cancel the two remaining seasons left on his contract but is no closer to choosing his next club with moves to the MLS and Qatar both rumoured.

Puyol, who has made almost 400 league appearances for the reigning La Liga champions since his debut in 1999, simply began saying: "I want to announce that I won't be a Barcelona player at the end of the season."

The Catalan will be 36 next month and despite making just 12 appearances for Barca this season will continue to give everything to the team for the remainder of the season.

"I am not finishing today. I will fight until the end of the season so that the team can achieve its targets.

"There is still three months of the season to go and I will not be relaxing. I will be helping the team," he added.

The captain has decided to finally hang up his boots as a Barcelona player due to his recurring physical problems.

"After two operations I do not think it is likely I will be in top form. My recovery has been more complicated than expected and I need to rest."

Puyol does not expect to be part of the Spain squad for the World Cup final in Brazil having been, a central figure during the 2010 tournament.

During 15 years at the Nou Camp, Puyol has won six league titles, the Champions League three times and two Spanish Cups – while also helping Barcelona to win the Uefa Super Cup twice and the Spanish Super Cup on six occasions.

Barcelona are currently second in La Liga, one point behind leaders Real Madrid.