Keita set to leave Barcelona

Posted Sunday, July 08, 2012 by ESPN

Mali international Seydou Keita has announced he will be leaving Barcelona after a hugely successful four-year spell at the Catalan club.

The midfielder had one year left on his contract but has activated a clause that allows him to leave should he not start more than half of Barca's fixtures in the previous season.

The 32-year-old has been linked with a move to Chinese club Dalian Aerbin.

A statement on www.fcbarcelona.cat read: "Seydou Keita has announced this evening that he won't be staying at the club next season.

"FC Barcelona thanks Seydou for his services to the club over the years and wish him professional and personal success in the future."

Keita was one of Pep Guardiola's first signings when he took charge in summer 2008 and made an immediate impact with six goals as Barca became the first Spanish side to win the treble of Primera Division, Copa del Rey and Champions League.

He continued to be an important player in the following two campaigns as Barca retained the league title and won the Champions League again in 2011, but a mixture of poor form, fitness problems and his participation in the African Nations Cup meant he only started 14 games in La Liga last term.

His last match in a Barcelona shirt came as a late substitute in the Copa del Rey final win over Athletic Bilbao in May, which took his tally of trophies to 14 during his four years at the club.