Samuel Umtiti is moving away from Barcelona: he will play on loan at the modest Lecce in Italy.

Barcelona has been refining its squad for the 2022-23 season and this Thursday a new departure was confirmed: Frenchman Samuel Umtiti was loaned to Lecce in Italy. Conversations with the newly promoted Serie A club had started last week and, after agreeing on the terms of the transaction, the deal became official.

Through social media, the 'Giallorossi' welcomed the 28-year-old defender, who was a world champion with the French national team in Russia 2018. According to the Italian squad, the link with the center-back is until June 30, 2023, and no purchase option was stipulated.

During his stay in Barcelona, after signing in 2016, Samuel Umtiti won two La Liga titles (2017/18 and 2018/19), three Copa del Rey titles (2016/17, 2017/18, and 2020/21), and two Spanish Super Cups (2016/17 and 2018/19). Remember that the defender has a contract with the 'Culés' until June 30, 2026.

In the next few hours, the Frenchman will arrive in Italy, undergo the necessary medical tests, and come under the orders of coach Marco Baroni. Due to his long period off the field, the player may have to wait a while before making his debut in Serie A.

It should be mentioned that currently, Lecce has several young athletes and Samuel Umtiti will be one of the most experienced players in the squad. The mission of the club is to stay in the top division and the team needs a quick reaction after losing to Inter (1-2) and Sassuolo (1-0) in the first two matches.

Umtiti, without continuity last season

During the 2021-22 season, Samuel Umtiti only played one game in LaLiga Santander, as a starter, when Barcelona drew 2-2 away to Osasuna on December 12th last year. The mentioned match was the only one the defender played, as he was not considered in the Copa del Rey, Champions League, or Europa League.