Marcos Alonso joins FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona and Marcos Alonso have reached an agreement to sign the player after he terminated his contract with Chelsea Football Club.

The defender will sign a contract until 30 June 2023 and the buyout clause has been set at 50 million euros.

FC Barcelona will shortly be announcing the details of the official presentation of Alonso as a new member of its senior men’s team.

Power and experience in the full back position

Born on December 28, 1990, Marcos Alonso has spent the majority of his career in England. Despite making his debut in LaLiga for Real Madrid, he was transferred to Bolton Wanderers in summer 2010, a move that set him on his way to developing his career.

While starting regularly for Bolton, the full back caught the eye of Fiorentina in summer 2013, but his first spell didn't go as well as expected. He joined Sunderland in the Premier League on loan that winter transfer window, where he again nailed down a left sided role at the Stadium of Light.

This good six month period provided a base for this return to Italy, and now with Paulo Sousa as coach, Marcos Alonso became a left wingback at Fiorentina with the Portuguese playing a five at the back system.

A key cog in a Champions League side

He played 85 games for the 'Fiore', before sealing a move back to England, this time to Chelsea in 2016, now as an established player. Marcos instantly became one of the key cogs in the team that plays at Stamford Bridge.

Important in both attack and defence, he spent six seasons at the London club, winning six trophies: one Premier League (2017), one World Club Cup (2022), one Europa League (2019), one European Super Cup (2022), one FA Cup (2018) and most importantly, one Champions League (2021). A wide range of trophies testament to Marcos Alonso's great seasons playing for Chelsea.

An attacking goalscoring fullback

The Spaniard is a very complete player and is comfortable playing either fullback in a four man defence or as a wingback with three central defenders. His physical frame (1.89m) combined with his cultured left foot allows him to dominate in both areas. His burst of speed also means he is an asset on transitions.

Let's not forget that he is also a free kick specialist, particularly from the right half space. He was also a corner taker while at Chelsea.