Barcelona allow midfielder to leave pre-season tour to seal Girona move | OneFootball

Barcelona have confirmed Oriol Romeu has been granted permission to leave their pre-season tour of the USA in order to seal a return to Girona.

Romeu, a product of Barca's famed La Masia academy, rejoined his boyhood club in 2023, signing from Girona on a three-year contract.

He made 37 appearances for La Blaugrana across all competitions during the 2023/24 campaign, but has been deemed surplus to requirements heading into the new season.

Barcelona announced on Friday night that Romeu would leave their US tour and head back to Spain in order to finalise an exit.

A short statement read: "Men's first team squad member Oriol Romeu has left the team base in Annapolis as he looks to resolve his future."

It has been widely reported that Romeu is making the move back to Girona, who are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of their first-ever UEFA Champions League campaign.

Romeu will sign on an initial loan and will undergo medical tests this weekend.

Romeu impressed for Girona during the 2022/23 season / Octavio Passos/GettyImages

Girona's squad from their memorable 2023/24 season in which they finished third in La Liga has been picked apart. Aleix Garcia and Artem Dovbyk have signed for Bayer Leverkusen and AS Roma respectively, while Yan Couto, Savio, Eric Garcia and Pablo Torre's loans have all expired.

Romeu made 34 appearances for Girona during his initial one-season stint at the Catalan underdogs, helping them to a tenth-place finish. The 32-year-old will bring back plenty of experience ahead of their European adventure - he boasts a Champions League winners' medal from his time at Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are continuing their quests to sign Spain duo Dani Olmo and Nico Williams. They are yet to add a new player to their squad so far this transfer window.