Barcelona have announced the signing of Brazilian forward Neymar, on a 5 year deal. The 21 year old joins the Spanish champions from Santos and will sign a contract with the club on Monday.
A Barcelona statement read: "FC Barcelona and Santos have agreed to terms for Neymar da Silva Santos Junior. The Brazilian forward will don the Blaugrana strip for the next five seasons. The 21-year old is one of the most promising footballers on the planet."
Neymar announced the deal on Instagram and Twitter. "On Monday, I sign a contract with Barcelona. I want to thank the Santos fans for nine incredible years," he said.
"It's a different moment for me, sad (bidding farewell) and happy (new challenges)."
Neymar has scored 20 times for Brazil, in just 32 appearances, while also scoring 156 – along with 77 assists – in 256 club appearances. In 2011 he led Santos to their first Copa Libertadores since the 1960s.
He is recognised as one of, if not the, most marketable sports stars on the planet, with US magazine Sports Pro placing ahead of Leo Messi and Rory McIlroy in terms of his marketing appeal.
Neymar plays his final game for Santos today.
"I want the chance to enter the field one more time... and hear the fans cry out my name," Neymar said.
