'He has given up an important part of his contract': Joan Laporta praises departing Barcelona defender Jordi Alba for helping the club financially

  • Joan Laporta has praised defender Jordi Alba for helping Barcelona financially
  • Laporta stated that the left-back 'has given up an important part of his contract' 
  • Despite winning LaLiga this season, Barcelona remain in financial turmoil 

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has praised departing defender Jordi Alba for giving up part of his contract to help the club financially.

Alba was previously a youth player at Barcelona and returned to the club in 2012, proceeding to make over 450 appearances.

The 34-year-old is departing Barcelona this summer and at his leaving ceremony Laporta spoke highly of Alba for giving up 'an important part of his contract'. 


Laporta said: 'Jordi Alba's departure has helped the club financially.

'He has given up an important part of his contract, which he also fully earned and deserved'. 

Joan Laporta praised departing Barcelona star Jordi Alba for giving up part of his contract

Joan Laporta praised departing Barcelona star Jordi Alba for giving up part of his contract

Laporta (centre) stated that Alba's departure from the club has helped Barcelona financially

Laporta (centre) stated that Alba's departure from the club has helped Barcelona financially

Alba had a year remaining on his Barcelona contract and was set to receive £15million during the final 12 months of his deal.  

During his time at Barcelona Alba has won an array of trophies including the Champions League, six LaLiga titles and five Copa Del Reys.

Another long-serving Barcelona player, Sergio Busquets, is also leaving the club.

Busquets and Alba played their final game at the Nou Camp as Barcelona beat Mallorca 3-0 last weekend.  

Although Barcelona won the LaLiga title this season, they remain in financial turmoil.

Barcelona held a farewell ceremony for Alba, who has made over 450 appearances for the club

Barcelona held a farewell ceremony for Alba, who has made over 450 appearances for the club

Last month Barcelona's Economic vice-president Eduard Romeu said: 'We are not in intensive care anymore but we are still in hospital. If we want to bring in any player we have to sell one for the same amount.'

Barcelona are also set to play away from the Camp Nou next season while a €960m (£824m) rebuild is carried out.

Moving to the city's old Olympic Stadium with its 49,000 capacity will reduce matchday income by €94m (£80m) across the season and the need to get tourists into the arena will mean only half of those seats will be taken up by season ticket holders and at greatly increased prices.

The club have borrowed just under €1.5bn (£1.2bn) to fund the revamping of the old stadium and surrounding area. The fear of failing to make repayments has also recently raised the issue of the club ceasing to be member-owned and becoming a corporation. 

It is anticipated that Barcelona will need to reduce their wage bill by £175m in order to operate on a one in, one out basis in the transfer market.

If they fail to do that then LaLiga will apply the 40 per cent rule on the club meaning they will have to make €100m (£87m) to spend €40m (£35m).