20000 Barcelona fans turn out to greet new signing Frenkie De Jong
06 July, 2019
Frenkie de Jong was finally unveiled as a Barcelona player on Friday, and his first act was to urge one of his former team-mates to come join him at the Nou Camp.
The Dutch midfielder finally completed his £65million from Ajax after passing his medical and was unveiled to supporters inside the club's home having originally agreed to the move in January.
He took to the pitch with his entourage, including wife Mikky Kiemeney, and was greeted by thousands of fans as he appeared in full kit and entertained them by giving them a glimpse of what is to come.
He also spoke to the media inside the bowels of the arena, where he was presented by president Josep Maria Bartomeu, and welcomed with a hug by the club's director of football Eric Abidal.
And in the exchange with journalists, he admitted his desire to be reunited with former Ajax team-mate Matthijs de Ligt.
'I'd like to see him [De Ligt] here, but I cannot decide,' he said.
'He has to make that decision with his family. When I saw Barca wanted me to play here, the decision was very easy.'
As it stands, he may even get his wish. Bartomeu was also asked about the possibility.
Barcelona had appeared favourites to land the defender coming into the transfer window, only for noises to come out of Italy suggesting Juventus were confident in landing the 19-year-old.
However, the president appeared to hint that De Ligt's decision has not changed and that his destination has already been settled on.
‘I have known where De Ligt will play [next season] for a long time,' he said. 'I still know but I cannot say anything else.’
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