Barcelona started its preseason this Monday confirming the signing of Ivorian Franck Kessié and hours later the signing of Danish Andreas Christensen, who will have a four-season contract with the blue and garnet team.
Like Kessié, announced shortly before, the Danish center-back "will have a release clause of 500 million euros (523 million dollars)." The former Chelsea player strengthens the defensive area in the team led by Xavi Hernández.
Christensen, an international player with his national team, also strengthens in aerial play, being a player "capable of dominating defensive situations of any style," according to Barça.
In the just-ended season, the Danish defender played 34 matches with Chelsea, scoring two goals and providing one assist.
The second signing of Barcelona will be presented on Thursday, one day after Kessié, whose arrival was also officialized this Monday by Barça.
How Christensen plays
The player arrives as a free agent from English club Chelsea and will strengthen the defensive axis of Xavi Hernández's team, a position in which the departures of Frenchmen Clement Lenglet (Tottenham) and Samuel Umtiti (Rennes) are very likely.
He is a player with good ball control, trained in the Brondby youth academy and made the jump to Chelsea's youth team in the 2012-13 season, despite having several offers from renowned clubs.
Christensen is a very powerful player in aerial play (1.88m), who moves very well in systems with an advanced defense. He is very technical with the ball, ideal for building the game and for the characteristics of Barcelona's football.