Barcelona unveiled new signing Nelson Semedo on Friday after sealing a €30m move for the Portuguese right-back.
The 23-year-old signed a five-year contract at the Camp Nou following his arrival from Benfica.
The transfer, Barcelona’s third of the summer after Gerard Deulofeu and Marlon, seemingly puts an end to Barcelona’s pursuit of Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin.
Semedo spoke of his delight after signing for the Spanish giants.
“I would like to thank Barça for this opportunity and the confidence they have placed in me, I am very proud to wear the shirt, and you can count on me for everything,” he said at his press conference, per Barça’s website.
“I’ll do everything I can for this club. I love this club, it's a great club. I knew that already, but I've realised it today. I like the city a lot as well.”
Unique clause in Semedo's contract
Benfica, as they always do, released a document showing the details of the transfer.
It shows that Barça paid €30,569,728 to sign Semedo.
There’s also a rather unique clause that means Barcelona will have make additional payments to the Portuguese club in the future.
For every 50 official matches Semedo plays, Barcelona must pay an extra €5,094,955 to Benfica, until Semedo renews his contract for the first time.
The Portugal international’s deal runs until 2022 and the fifth year is optional.
The fee could reach €50m
It’s almost certain that Barça will end up having to pay the €5m clause every year. They play 38 league matches and will play a two-legged Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid.
Then there’s the six Champions League group stage matches that are guaranteed.
So €30m could very well end up exceeding €50m.
'I never give up on the ball'
Semedo gave Barcelona fans an idea of what to expect from him at the Camp Nou.
“I love playing,” he said. “I never give up on a ball, I play until the final whistle.
“Barça can have every confidence in me. I will do everything I can to honour the shirt.”
The rising star admitted that he only became a right-back after receiving some advice from Benfica’s coaches.
“I originally played at Benfica as a midfielder, but the manager decided I would be better off as a full-back, so I became a professional as a full-back,” he added.
“I try to learn from everybody, I take a little bit from here, a little bit from there, to learn from the best qualities from everybody, and I try to apply my own style of football too.”