According to a statement from the club, FC Barcelona and Italian team US Lecce have reached an agreement on the loan of defender Samuel Umtiti until 30 June 2023. The deal reportedly gives Lecce a no purchase option.
The French defender will now play in Italy for the Serie A club on a one-year loan deal. The Frenchman’s whole wages will still be paid by Barcelona.
However, they will receive add-ons depending on how many games he plays.
Agreement with Unione Sportiva Lecce for loan of Umtiti until 30 June 2023
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 25, 2022
Lecce have just returned to competing at the top level of Italian football after winning Serie B last year.
What Next For Samuel Umtiti?
In the summer of 2016, Umtiti transferred from Olympique Lyonnais to FC Barcelona. He made 133 games in six seasons with Barca, including 91 in La Liga and 22 in the Champions League.
He scored two goals, one in the league season of 2016–17 and the other the following year. While at the club, he won seven trophies in total: Two League trophies (2017/18 & 2018/19), Three Copa del Reys (2016/17, 2017/18 & 2020/21), Two Spanish Super Cups (2016/17 & 2018/19).
Umtiti has had a difficult few years at Barca despite enjoying good success initially. His first two seasons at Camp Nou were incredible; he looked and performed like one of the best center backs in all of European football.
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He contributed to France’s victory in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but when he returned, he sustained an injury that has significantly reduced his playing time ever since.
Now with Lecce back in the Serie A, he’ll have an opportunity to show how good he truly is. Barring any injury, which has been his issues for a while, Umtiti’s career could well be on revival mode.
With the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar in the horizon, Umtiti will be looking to come good for his new club.
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