Barcelona and Ajax have a long-standing relationship, with a deep-seated history of sharing star players, coaches, and playing styles throughout the decades.
This summer has further cemented that relationship, with the Eredivisie giants, who are in the depths of a major rebuild under new head coach Míchel, having now acquired two stars from the reigning La Liga champions.
Following the recent season-long loan signing of longtime Barca goalkeeper and Germany international Marc-André ter Stegen , Ajax has now agreed to a permanent deal for Spain Under-19 international left-back Jofre Torrents .
Torrents won La Liga with Barca last season -Credit:Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The 19-year-old leaves Camp Nou having made four appearances for the senior team, winning La Liga last season. Torrents has penned a four-year deal in the Netherlands, where he'll now call the Johan Cruyff Arena home.
Fellow ex-Barca star and Johan's son Jordi, currently Ajax's technical director, said of Torrents, "Jofre is a highly talented player who has developed strongly over the past few years. We are delighted to have secured his signing for Ajax.
"A number of clubs were interested in him, but he made a very conscious decision to choose our plans and vision. We look forward to taking the next steps together with him."
As for Torrents' now-former club, they said of the La Masia product, "FC Barcelona would like to thank Jofre Torrents for his commitment, professionalism and dedication throughout all these years representing the Club, and wishes him the very best of luck and every success in this new stage of his professional career."
Torrents will be challenging fellow new signing and Brazilian international Caio Henrique , who recently joined from AS Monaco , and Dutch international Owen Wijndal for minutes.
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As for Hansi Flick's side, Torrents represents their eighth departure so far this window. It comes as the German boss awaits the arrival of FIFA World Cup winner and Spain captain Rodri from Manchester City , with the midfielder soon set to complete an $88.6 million move, as per the Manchester Evening News .
This comes with the Ballon d'Or winner entering the final year of his deal at the Etihad, and after Real Madrid had also attempted to lure the 30-year-old back home.
Rodri is set to join an already stacked midfield where he'll play alongside the likes of Pedri , Gavi , Frenkie de Jong , Fermín López , and Dani Olmo , to name but a few.
They'll be looking to win their third consecutive league title, and the club's 30th overall, whilst also aiming to reclaim the Supercopa de España title. Meanwhile, they'll be looking to go one step further in the Copa del Rey, having been knocked out in the semifinals by Atlético Madrid last season, who also knocked them out of the UEFA Champions League in the quarterfinals back in April.
Barcelona's La Liga campaign is set to kick off on Sunday, August 23, when they travel to Elche CF before their home opener against Athletic Club four days later.
