[Archive 2016-07-04] Footballers Neymar, Zlatan, Nolito sign contracts

Historical archive — originally published 2016-07-04. This report records what was known on that date. It is not current news; subsequent events may have changed the situation. Wikinews closed in May 2026.

On Friday, Neymar Jr agreed to a five-year contract extension with FC Barcelona, Zlatan Ibrahimović to a one-year contract with Manchester United F.C. as a free agent, and Nolito joined Manchester City F.C. from Celta de Vigo for a four-year term.

Previously, Barcelona received offers for Neymar from Paris Saint Germain, Manchester United, Manchester City, and Real Madrid. But on Friday, Neymar agreed to sign a five-year contract extension with the blaugranes. Neymar has scored 85 goals in 141 appearances for Barça winning eight trophies. This year, he finished third in the FIFA Ballon d'Or.

Per the contract extension, Neymar's buyout clause is €200million for the first season which would rise to €250million after the end of the second season. The formal presentation of the extension is to be two weeks later before Neymar leaves for his international duties for the Olympics 2016 in his homeland.

Zlatan's contract with French club Paris Saint Germain expired in June and Zlatan indicated his next move to Manchester United tweeting, "Time to let the world know. My next destination is @ManUtd [Manchester United]". Zlatan has made 180 appearances for Paris and scored 156 goals. He became the club's top scorer and helped the club win two domestic titles in a row, scoring 38 goals in Ligue 1 last season.

Former Swedish captain Zlatan played under José Mourinho at Italian club FC Internazionale Milano in the 2008–2009 season before Zlatan left for Pep Guardiola's FC Barcelona in exchange for Samuel Eto'o.

After completing his second signing of the season, Mourinho said, "Zlatan needs no introduction. The statistics speak for themselves." Debuting in 1999, Zlatan has won domestic titles in four different nations and six different clubs winning the 'Swedish Footballer of the Year' nine consecutive times.

Arsenal F.C. tried to persuade Zlatan when he was 17 years old, when manager Arsène Wenger asked him to do a trial with the club. He declined the offer; recalling the incident later, he explained, "Zlatan doesn't do auditions."

At international level, Zlatan is Sweden's all-time top scorer with 62 goals in 116 games. He retired from the Swedish team last month after their Euro exit.

At Barcelona, Zlatan won five trophies in one season, but clashed with Guardiola. He is likely to face Guardiola's Manchester City in their local derby.

Manchester City under Pep Guardiola's management signed Nolito from Spanish club Celta Vigo. At Celta Vigo, he scored 39 goals in 106 appearances.

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