Barça: a defender is back!

A defender on loan in the summer of 2022 from FC Barcelona has confirmed his return to Catalonia on social media.

Champion of Spain 2023, FC Barcelona has recorded the return to its workforce of a central defender on loan since the summer of 2022 to a Serie A formation, a time on the spot to permanently secure the services of this world champion. 2018.

Back at a good level with Lecce, with 25 league games played, Samuel Umtiti will not continue his career on the other side of the Alps. The 29-year-old formalized his departure from the Puglia-based team, 16th and maintained in the Italian football elite. The former member of Olympique Lyonnais published a long farewell message via his page instagram.

“Staying in Serie A is like winning a title”

“I would first like to thank Mr Corvino and Lecce for holding my hand when other teams doubted me. Thank you for your trust. I found a team with values ​​and an exceptional state of mind. We had a goal at the start of the season and we achieved it thanks to hard work. For me staying in Serie A is like winning a title. Blessed to have been part of this group, this team. An incredible human experience. Thank you guys, my team, the staff for helping me. Thank you Mr Baroni. Thank you to the fans for your support from day one to the last day. We are forever linked. I leave with a heart filled with love from you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and go Lecce forever.”

If he returns to the Blaugrana, the native of Yaoundé should not last forever, despite a contract running until June 2026. Present at Camp Nou since 2016, Samuel Umtiti has taken part in 133 matches in all competitions confused with the Catalans, for 2 goals.