Arsenal's Belgium defender international Thomas Vermaelen has completed his move to Barcelona after signing a five-year contract with the Spanish giants.
Barca sport director Andoni Zubizarreta (left) and vice-president Jordi Mestre were present at the signing
The Belgium international, who played 150 games for Arsene Wenger’s side in five seasons, moves to the Nou Camp for a undislcosed fee, widely believed to be £15m.
The 28-year-old passed a medical on Saturday and was presented to fans and media at the Nou Camp on Sunday after finalising the deal.
Vermaelen made 110 Premier League appearances for Arsenal, scoring 13 goals
"Thomas Vermaelen is now officially an FC Barcelona player,” confirmed the Spanish giants.
"A few minutes past 11:15am, the player signed a contract with the Catalan club. It is an agreement that binds him with the club for the next five seasons, until 2018/19."
“I feel very happy,” Vermaelen told Barca TV. “I’m very excited to play for this beautiful club; it’s one of the best in the world.
“It’s a dream of a lot of people to play for this club, you play with the best players in the world and I’m very honoured to play with them in this team.
“I expect pressure like always; I played for Arsenal as well and it’s not different from this club, you need to win every single game, so I understand there will always be pressure to deliver a good performance.
“My first goal is to adapt as quickly as I can; it’s a different country for me, a different language as well and coaches, so I need to adapt and see how far we can go.”
The Belgian defender further said: "Coming to Barcelona is a dream move - it wasn't a difficult decision at all.
"I feel ready to play here. I think I can offer a lot to this club.
"There's a lot of competition here but I'm very excited. It's up to me to show what I can do - it'll be a challenge for me."
Vermaelen had been a target for Manchester United but they ended their interest after refusing Arsenal's demand to receive a player as part of the deal.
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger confirmed ahead of Sunday's Community Shield match against Manchester City that he would be looking for a replacement defender.
He told BT Sport: "At the moment it is a possibility that someone comes in to replace Thomas Vermaelen. I can't tell you who!"
Vermaelen was troubled by a series of injuries and lost his place at centre-back last season as Wenger favoured Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.
His form and fitness meant he made only 21 appearances in all competitions last term.
Vermaelen added: "I want to put the injuries I've had behind me and look to the future. My aim is to play in lots of games and help the team.
"I am keen to get started and I know the demands here are really testing."
Vermaelen becomes Barca's second centre-back signing this summer after Valencia's Jeremy Mathieu, their first recruit in that position since 2009.
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