Sergio Aguero is unveiled at Barcelona following his Man City exit... and club legend striker takes a swipe at Pep Guardiola and Co by claiming his free transfer switch to the 'biggest club in the world' is a 'step forward' in his career
- Free agent Sergio Aguero will become a Barcelona player officially on Monday
- The 33-year-old has agreed terms of a two-year contract with the Spanish giants
- His last game at Man City came in Saturday's Champions League final loss
- But he now claims his move to Catalonia from Manchester is a 'step forward'
Sergio Aguero has taken a swipe at former club Manchester City after being officially unveiled as a Barcelona player on Monday evening after agreeing terms to join the Spanish giants.
Aguero was a free agent after playing his final game for Man City on Saturday night as they lost the Champions League final to Chelsea 1-0.
The 32-year-old has agreed a two-year deal with Barca and put pen-to-paper on that deal just before 6pm on Monday. He underwent his medical earlier that afternoon at their Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper base.
Sergio Aguero has officially been unveiled as a Barcelona player on Monday after agreeing terms
He also took a swipe at Man City and claiming he has taken a step forward by joining Barca
Aguero underwent his medical at the club's headquarters earlier on Monday afternoon
The striker had his height measured by the club's medical staff during Monday's checks
But speaking before his presentation in front of the media, Aguero stated he is now joining the world's biggest club and claimed his move to Spain from Manchester is a 'step forward'.
'We all know that Barca are the best club in the world so I think I made a great decision to be here and I hope to help the team,' Aguero said.
'Of course it's a step forward in my career, I'm really happy and hopefully I can help the team to win things.
'First of all I want to play and help this squad and if the team does it well I will be happy individual. I just try to help the team and try to arrive at the end of the season with chances to win titles.
Barcelona's Twitter account was clearly excited by the Argentine's arrival by posting the above
He then took his first steps out on the Camp Nou pitch prior to his presentation to the media
I want to send a big hello to all the supporters, I will give my best and hopefully the fans will enjoy my skills.
'I have changed a little bit, at least my looks, when I arrived in Europe with Atletico Madrid I learnt a lot then I played for City, now I have changed my way of playing, but I have an idea where I can play.'
Then at his unveiling in front of the media later in the evening, the Argentina star admitted he only had eyes for one club upon leaving the Etihad Stadium.
'We all know that Barca are the best club in the world so I think I made a great decision to be here,' said Aguero, who scored a club-record 260 goals in 390 games during a decade at the Etihad Stadium.
Aguero was then presented with the 2021 Barcelona shirt by president Joan Laporta (second from left)
'Of course, it's a step forward in my career. I'm really happy and hopefully I can help the team to win things.'
'I didn't even hesitate. I didn't want someone else to talk to me, just Barca,' he said.
'[Pep] Guardiola, when we won the Premier League, he told me ''You're going to the best team in the world''.
'As a boy I said one day they will surely notice me and here I am.'
Aguero confirmed to the press he only wanted to join Barcelona after leaving the Etihad
Aguero's final game for Manchester City ended in defeat in Saturday's Champions League final
His contract, which is until the end of the 2022-23 season, will include a £86.1million buyout clause.
'FC Barcelona and Sergio 'Kun' Aguero have reached an agreement for the player to join the Club from 1 July when his contract with Manchester City expires,' Barca initially announced in a statement on their website.
'The player will sign a contract until the end of the 2022-23 season and his buy out clause is set at 100 million euros.'
Barcelona's Twitter account was clearly excited by his arrival as they screamed his name in a tweet.
His move sees him reunited with his Argentina team-mate Lionel Messi at Barca and the pair could form a tantalising attacking quartet with Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele.
City announced on March 29 that Aguero's contract would not be renewed and that his 10-year stint at the club would end this summer.
The 32-year-old forward was distraught after City lost the European final 1-0 to Chelsea
Aguero will team up with his Argentina team-mate Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp next term
In part a lengthy statement on their website on Monday, the Premier League champions wrote: 'Everyone at Manchester City would like to take this opportunity to thank Sergio for his incredible contribution to our success over the last decade and wish him well on the remainder of his career.'
Aguero joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2011 and went on to score 260 goals for the club, none more important than the stoppage-time strike which sealed the 2012 Premier League title.
In all, he won five Premier League titles, one FA Cup and six League Cups with City.
Aguero, who turns 33 on Wednesday, began his professional career with Argentinian club Independiente before joining Atletico in 2006, where he won the Europa League in 2010.
City paid tribute to Aguero on their social media channels and their club website on Monday
Aguero is City's all-time record goalscorer with 260 goals in 10 years at the Etihad Stadium
Meanwhile, City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne will not need surgery after fracturing his nose and left eye socket in the Champions League final defeat to Chelsea at the weekend.
However, Belgium manager Roberto Martinez is still unsure about De Bruyne's participation in Euro 2020 after he was hurt in a challenge by Antonio Rudiger in the final.
'I've spoken to Kevin and he was quite positive,' said Martinez. 'We've got to be very cautious, but we will get more clarity in the next days.
'We are very fortunate he doesn't need surgery. An operation would have made it impossible for him to play in the Euros.'