OFFICIAL: Barcelona’s Jeremy Mathieu Joins Sporting Lisbon
Reuters / John Sibley
Barcelona central defender Jeremy Mathieu has completed a move to Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon, after the Spanish giants agreed to rescind his contract.
The 33-year-old has signed a 2-year deal with Sporting, and will hope to play an integral part this upcoming season. Mathieu was deemed surplus to requirements at the Camp Nou, and has now got a fresh lease of life in Portugal.
The Spanish giants had confirmed last week that the defender would be allowed to join Sporting on a trial basis, and are now happy that it has led to a permanent deal. Barca’s signing of Marlon Santos on a permanent basis marked the end of Mathieu’s stay, who joined from Valencia in 2014.
BREAKING: Jérémy Mathieu and FC Barcelona part ways: https://t.co/gLPGrUFMC2 #FCBlive pic.twitter.com/RHLEGzI655
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 7, 2017
The Catalans appointed new manager Ernesto Valverde earlier this summer, and the gaffer was happy to allow Mathieu leave the side. The defender made 91 appearances for the club during his 3-year stay, but his spell was marked with injuries that hampered his form.
Sporting earlier announced the signing of Real Madrid left-back Fabio Coentrao on a season-long loan as well, and now, the arrival of Mathieu has marked a good week for the club. They will hope the duo’s experience will pay dividends, as they look to break Benfica’s jinx in the Portuguese League.
Written by Rajdeep Saha 
Sports journalist with stints across print, digital and television. Contribution to each medium has been thrilling. Experienced in writing for this passionate game called football. Journalist by choice and passion.