10 essential facts about new FC Barcelona signing Samuel Umtiti

Samuel Umtiti is an FC Barcelona player. The 22-year-old French international centre back has arrived after climbing through the ranks at Olympique Lyonnais, where he was a first team player for five years, and featured in almost every game last term. Here are ten essential facts that we’ve picked out about the new FCB star:

1. Despite his youth, Umtiti has totalled 170 appearances in five seasons for Olympique Lyonnais: 131 in Ligue 1, 7 in the Champions League (including 3 qualifiers), 15 in the Europa League (including 2 qualifiers), 8 in the Coupe de France, 8 in the Coupe de la Ligue and 1 in the Trophée des Champions (French Super Cup).
2. Umtiti became a key player in the Olympique defence, having played 97.2% of the minutes in the games where he has been used.
3. In February 2015, he wore the Lyonnais shirt for the 100th time in a game against Bordeaux and it was against the same time in September that, despite his young age, he wore the captain’s armband for the first time, something which goes to show what a born leader he is.
4. He was only 18 when he made his official debut for Olympique on 8 January 2012 against Lyon Duchère.
5. He has faced Spanish sides before, namely Athletic Bilbao, Betis and Valencia in the Europa League, with four wins, one draw and just one defeat.
6. Umtiti once came up against Barça midfielder Rafinha. That was when France lost 2-1 to Spain in an U21 international in February 2012.
7. Umtiti started out as a centre forward in the Olympique academy, but was gradually moved back over the years. Although he mainly plays as centre back, he can also fit in at left-back when needed.
8. His time in attack means he’s a generallyattack-minded player, and he has averaged a goal a season for the Olympique first team.
9. Umtiti has won two titles with Olympique Lyonnais: the Coupe de France and the Trophée des Champions in the 2011/12 season.
10. Umtiti made his full international debut for France at Euro 2016. That was in the quarter final against Iceland, and he went on to play all 90 minutes of the semi-final against Germany and the final against Portugal.