News Focus
- England winger Anthony Gordon joins FC Barcelona from Newcastle United for a reported fee of €80 million plus add-ons
- The 25-year-old has signed a six-year contract running until 2031 after passing his medical examination
- Gordon revealed he has supported the Catalan giants since the age of three and has been learning Spanish in preparation
- The transfer beat competition from Liverpool and Bayern Munich for the former Everton star’s signature
- The presentation ceremony was delayed by nine hours due to administrative paperwork complications
FC Barcelona have officially confirmed the acquisition of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United, marking their first major arrival of the summer transfer window. The Premier League club reportedly received approximately €80 million for the England international, with additional performance-related bonuses included in the agreement.
The 25-year-old forward travelled to the Catalan capital on Thursday to undergo routine medical tests before finalising personal terms. He was later spotted dining with his representatives, Sporting Director Deco, and Head of Scouting Joao Amaral. Despite bureaucratic delays causing a nine-hour postponement to his unveiling, Gordon eventually put pen to paper on a lucrative six-year deal keeping him at the club until 2031.
Gordon arrives at the Camp Nou following three productive seasons with the Magpies, whom he joined from Everton in 2023 for €45.6 million. During his time in the North East, he accumulated 152 appearances, registering 39 goals and 28 assists. His most recent campaign proved particularly fruitful, with 17 goals in 46 matches across all competitions, including an impressive ten strikes in twelve Champions League outings.
The versatile winger admitted that wearing the famous Blaugrana shirt represents the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition. “I believed I would play for this club from when I was just three years old,” he explained during his inaugural press conference. The Scouse attacker demonstrated his commitment by addressing journalists in Spanish, a language he began studying specifically for this opportunity while still receiving treatment at Newcastle.
Despite attracting strong interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich, Gordon elected to continue his career in Spain. He expressed particular enthusiasm about competing for European football’s most prestigious prize, stating his desire to help secure Barcelona’s sixth Champions League crown. “Lifting that trophy during my first season here would be magnificent,” he declared.
Stylistically, Gordon likened his playing approach to that of current captain Raphinha, citing the Brazilian’s intensity, pace, and technical quality as attributes he shares. He also expressed admiration for teammates Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Frenkie de Jong, recalling how the midfield duo dismantled Newcastle’s game plan during their European encounters.
Manager Hansi Flick received praise from his new signing, with Gordon describing the German tactician as “incredible” for his achievements since taking charge. The England star now aims to contribute goals and assists to maintain the club’s pursuit of silverware, conscious of the weight of history carried by previous Barcelona icons.