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Barcelona confirmed the arrival of the Spanish defender Inigo Martinez on a free transfer from Athletic Bilbao. The signing of the 32-year-old centre-back, on a contract until 2025, matches the Catalans' recent policy of hiring experienced players at zero transfer cost. Barcelona signed Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan in a similar fashion last week and acquired Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen and AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie after their contracts expired last summer in the same manner.
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Martinez came through at Real Sociedad and played for them for seven seasons in the top flight and then moved to Athletic Bilbao in January 2017. Athletic Bilbao paid his 32 million euro ($35 million) buy-out clause, which remains a club record fee. Inigo Martinez played 177 times for Athletic, scoring eight goals and winning the Spanish Super Cup in 2021. He also helped the team to reach two Copa del Rey finals.
"Martinez will sign for two seasons, until June 30, 2025, and will have a 400 million euro ($435 million) release clause," said FC Barcelona officials in a statement.