Friday night saw Anthony Gordon unveiled as a Barcelona player.
The England international leaving Newcastle United after three and a half years.
The official signing and presentation of Anthony Gordon to the media was delayed by many hours from early Friday afternoon, due to reported missing paperwork on the Barca side of things.
When the new signing spoke at the press conference, in both English and Spanish, he made transparently clear that Barcelona was the only club he wanted to sign for. No interest in Bayern Munich, or Liverpool, who came in with a late attempt to try and sign him after holding an interest in Anthony Gordon for some time.
Anthony Gordon speaking at his Barcelona press conference: “As soon as I knew that Barca was a serious option there was never any question, I always wanted Barca. Barca is the biggest club on the planet. It is the stuff I dreamed of as a child. It really is a dream come true to be here. I know that it comes with a lot of responsibility, but I’m ready for this kind of challenge. I know the players in the past who’ve worn the shirt… it holds a lot of weight, but I am excited for the challenge.”
Eddie Howe and Newcastle United faced Hansi Flick and Barcelona three times last season.
Now Anthony Gordon will be playing under the Barcelona boss.
Anthony Gordon: “I spoke with Hansi Flick. I was already excited, but after speaking to him I am even more excited. He seems like a very nice person, an amazing man-manager. What he has done at Barca in a very short time has been amazing. He has brought the club so much success. To play with Lamine [Yamal] and the rest of the [Barcelona] players is very exciting for me. I think the more players with quality around you, the better you are going to be. These players are at the very top level for a reason. They are the best players in the world. They have so much quality; when we [Newcastle United] played them at St James’ Park, we could not touch the ball.”
After only one La Liga title in five years, since Hansi Flick arrived two years ago Barcelona have won the domestic league both times.
Barcelona also winning the Spanish Cup in his first season, plus semi-final and quarter-final finishes in the Champions League.
Anthony Gordon explaining how he was easily able to speak in Spanish at his unveiling: “I wanted to speak Spanish because as I kid I believed I would play for Barca, believe it or not. I have a physio in Newcastle and we spoke every day and I told him that one day I would play for Barca, so I wanted to learn Spanish.”