Gabri bids Barça goodbye
Monday, May 29, 2006
Article summary
Spanish international midfield player Gabri García has announced that he will leave FC Barcelona this summer after 13 years with the European champions.
Article body
Gabri García has announced that he will leave FC Barcelona this summer after 13 years with the club.
'See you soon'
The 27-year-old midfielder made the news public at a press conference on Monday morning, accompanied by the UEFA Champions League winners' president Joan Laporta and sporting director Aitor 'Txiki' Beguiristain. "The decision to leave has been difficult and I had to really give it some thought because I've always felt at home here," Gabri said. "Barcelona have given me the chance to grow both professionally and personally. But this isn't a farewell, rather a 'see you soon'."
Ten Cate clue
Gabri, who stepped up to Barcelona's first team from the reserves in 1999, has played 128 league games for the Catalan club, although he started only four in 2005/06. The Spanish international is yet to confirm where his future lies but the presence of new AFC Ajax coach Henk Ten Cate – until recently Frank Rijkaard's assistant at the Camp Nou – at his press conference could give a clue as to his destination.
