Philippe Coutinho press conference LIVE: Barcelona complete £142m deal as ex-Liverpool star signs contract
Follow the latest from Coutinho's first press conference as a Barcelona player
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Philippe Coutinho was unveiled by Barcelona on Monday morning after the Spanish side completed an astounding £142m transfer for the Brazil international from Liverpool.
The deal, which makes Coutinho the second-most expensive player in history behind £200m Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar, was completed late last week, with the attacking midfielder travelling to Barcelona over the weekend to complete the deal.
The 25-year-old underwent a medical this morning, and will sign his new five-and-a-half-year contract that will be worth around £250,000-a-week, with a buy-out clause of €400m [£355m].
Follow the latest from his unveiling and first press conference live below...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
Here's what Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu had to say about the club-record transfer:
All Barcelona fans around the world are pleased to meet the new Barcelona player Philippe Coutinho. We wanted him last summer, we have been working for weeks and months on this deal but one of the most important aspects was that he wanted to come here.
He was patient and that was a determining factor in bringing him here. I am delighted to announce the signing of one of the stars of world football.
Everyone knows him as a player, we know about his professional career but what I can say is that it wasn't easy to bring him here. But he wanted to be here and he is part of this new project with Ernesto Valverde and he'll be getting to know us as a club and a team. Coutinho has a lot of family here with him today, which everybody wanted.
Thank you for accepting the deal. We have spoken a lot over the last few days. You are a player we have wanted to come here for a long time and we thank you for your determination and your motivation to come here. We would also like to thank Liverpool to allow him to come here.
The hundreds of fans in the Nou Camp appears to have swollen to thousands while Coutinho was being unveiled deep inside the Nou Camp, and he'll receive a fantastic reception when he emerges in a few minutes time to meet the supporters that will cheer him on for the foreseeable future.
The new Barca signing jogs out in full kit but - crucially - without a number on his shirt. Time for some kick-ups!
The £142m man is joined by a number of young Barcelona fans to enjoy a kick-a-bout on the Nou Camp pitch, which gives him the chance to show off his skills by competing against a group of 10-year-olds...
Nevertheless, he poses for pictures with them all and it's surely a moment they won't forget.
After addressing the fans inside the Nou Camp, the supporters respond emphatically as "Coutinho! Coutinho! Coutinho!" rings out around the stadium.
His club obligations still aren't complete though as he poses in front of a coincidentally placed Audi pitchside for more pictures, before taking the time to meet a number of disabled fans that are gathered near the tunnel - a lovely gesture from him.
Around 6,000 fans turned out for the unveiling, which is not too shabby given it's a work and school day. After being presented with the keys of said Audi - a free car, free house, who'd be a footballer eh? - Coutinho disappears back down the Nou Camp tunnel, and will prepare himself ahead of his first meeting with the Spanish press in around 45 minutes time.
Coutinho gave a few short words as he appeared out on the pitch to address the fans and, unsurprisingly, they were near enough exactly the same as what he told Barca TV last night.
I’m living a dream. Thanks to everyone for coming.
It’s a dream for all the players who have been here and those who are here now. It’s hard to explain, but all my family are here to live this dream.
I want to give thanks for my reception and I hope that soon I’ll be on the pitch to live up to the expectations.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments