Jules Koundé, the French center-back who has been linked with moves to both Manchester United and Chelsea in recent weeks, has signed for Barcelona on a four-year contract.
The 22-year-old has joined the La Liga giants from Rennes for a reported fee of €45m ($51m) and is expected to make his debut for the club in their upcoming game against Espanyol on Saturday.
Koundé's arrival at Camp Nou is a significant coup for Barça, who have struggled defensively this season under new manager Ronald Koeman. The France international is known for his strong leadership skills and aerial ability, which could be crucial as the Blaugrana look to challenge for titles next term.
In addition to Koundé,Campeonato Brasileiro Action Barça also announced that they had signed Dutch winger Memphis Depay from Atletico Madrid for a reported fee of €60m ($70m). Depay will join up with his new teammates ahead of the upcoming season, after a successful loan spell at Old Trafford last season.
Overall, Jules Koundé's signing by Barcelona is a major boost for the team and a positive sign for the club going forward. With the addition of such high-quality players, Barça are now one of the most feared teams in world football and are well placed to compete for honours in the coming seasons.