Barcelona Confirm Signing of Thomas Vermaelen on Five Year Deal

Barcelona have confirmed Thomas Vermaelen's arrival at the club after agreeing a fee with Arsenal.

Vermalelen, 28, will sign a five year contract at the Nou Camp after the two clubs agreed a fee thought to be in the region of £15m.

A short statement on Barcelona's official website read: FC Barcelona and Arsenal FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Belgian player Thomas Vermaelen. He joins the Catalans on a five-year deal."

Arsenal have also confirmed the deal via their website. "Vermaelen passed his medical in Barcelona on Saturday. His transfer is subject to the completion of the normal regulatory process.

"Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Thomas for his contribution during his time at the club and wish him well for the future."

Louis van Gaal was keen to bring the Belgian international to Manchester United as looks to bring in a left footed centre half to slot into his 3-5-2 formation. Arsene Wenger suggested earlier in the week that United had tabled an offer for the defender but was reluctant to sell the club captain to a domestic rival.

Vermaelen arrived in north London in 2009 following a £10m move from Ajax. He was named club captain following Robin van Persie's move to Old Trafford in 2012 but lost his place in Wenger's starting XI towards the end of the 2012/13 campaign. Last season he was unable to break the first choice partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker and played a bit-part role in the club's fourth place finish in the league.

He becomes Barcelona's sixth summer signing following the arrivals of Ivan Rakitic, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Claudio Bravo, Jeremy Mathieu and Luis Suarez.