Rafinha extends deal with Barça, goes to Celta on loan

FC Barcelona and Rafinha have agreed on the renewal of the player’s contract through to the end of the 2020/21 season.

Additionally, Barça and Celta Vigo have come to an agreement whereas Rafinha will play at Celta on loan for the 2019/20 season. Celta thus take on Rafinha’s salary plus potential add-ons of up to €1.5m.

FC Barcelona would like to publicly express its gratitude to Rafinha for his commitment and dedication, and wishes him the best of luck and continued success. 

91 appearances with Barça

Rafinha arrived at FC Barcelona at the age of 13. After starring with the U19 team, Luis Enrique gave him the chance to debut with FC Barcelona B, in the Second Division at the time, in the 2010/11 season. Rafinha also debuted with the first team that season, on 9 November, 2011, under the orders of Pep Guardiola. One season later, Rafinha would become a mainstay on the reserve team.

After a few years with Barça B, including several appearances with the first team, Rafinha played at Celta on loan in the 2013/14 season. He became an established member of Barça’s first team upon the arrival of Luis Enrique—who managed Rafinha at Celta—in the summer of 2014.

Rafinha was a key player during Luis Enrique’s three seasons as manager, despite suffering a serious injury at Roma that would keep him sidelined for over 200 days, from the end of 2015 to the beginning of 2016. Then, in April of 2017, Rafinha suffered an injury at Granada that would sideline him once again for several months.

In January of 2018, having recovered from that injury, Rafinha went to Inter Milan on loan for the second half of that season, after which he returned to Barça for the 2018/19 season under Ernesto Valverde. That season, he played nine games and scored a goal before being beset by another serious injury in a league match at Atlético Madrid.

11 titles with Barça

Rafinha has helped Barça to 11 titles during his time with the club: 1x UEFA Champions League, 3x La Liga, 3x Copa del Rey, 1x UEFA Super Cup, 2x Spanish Super Cup, and 1x FIFA Club World Cup. In addition, Rafinha has scored 12 goals in 91 games with Barça’s first team.