Valencia’s French defender Jeremy Mathieu joined Bar-celona for a fee of €20 million, the Catalan club said yesterday.

“Mathieu will sign a contract with FC Barcelona for the next four seasons plus a further op-tional,” Barca said in a statement.

“The cost of the transfer is 20 million euros and the buy-out clause will be 50 million euros.”

The 30-year-old Mathieu will bolster the centre of Bar-celona’s defence this season after they missed out on any major trophies in 2013-14 and their porous backline was a significant factor.

The Frenchman, who can also play at left-back, continues the restructuring of the squad under new coach Luis Enrique.

Striker Luis Suarez, midfielder Ivan Rakitic and keepers Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Claudio Bravo have also been signed.

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas and forward Alexis Sanchez have left for Chelsea and Arsenal respectively.

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