Jordi Alba has joined Inter Miami with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets.
The 34-year-old Spain full-back has signed a contract extension through the conclusion of the 2024 Major League Soccer season, with a club option for 2025.
Alba departed Barcelona after 11 years with the Spanish giants this summer.
“We know that he’ll help Inter Miami achieve the club’s objectives this season and beyond,” said Inter Miami’s sporting director Chris Henderson.
Alba helped Barcelona win six La Liga titles and the Champions League in 2015, while also helping Spain win Euro 2012 and the 2023 Nations League.
Argentina World Cup champion Messi, 36, and Alba’s fellow Spaniard Busquets, 35, have already moved to Major League Soccer in the United States.
Messi and Busquets were unveiled to a jubilant audience of about 20,000 Inter Miami fans on Sunday at the club’s DRV PNK Stadium, escorted by co-owner and former England captain David Beckham.
Seven-time Winner of the Ballon d’Or Messi practised with his Miami teammates for the first time on Tuesday and is scheduled to make his debut against Cruz Azul of Mexico City in their Leagues Cup opener on Friday.
Alba, who has 459 Barcelona appearances and 93 Spain games, should be eligible to face Atlanta United on Tuesday.
“Jordi is an accomplished, dynamic and experienced player that we’re excited to acquire to continue bolstering our squad,” Henderson added.
“He has proven for over a decade that he is one of the best full-backs in the sport due to both his defensive solidity and capacity to contribute in the attack.”
“Jordi is an accomplished, dynamic and experienced player that we’re excited to acquire to continue bolstering our squad,” Henderson added.
“He has proven for over a decade that he is one of the best full-backs in the sport due to both his defensive solidity and capacity to contribute in the attack.”
Alba had one year left on his contract with Barcelona, which he signed from Valencia in 2012, but the club agreed to let him go in May.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami has been connected with another former Barcelona star, 36-year-old Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, who is presently playing for Gremio in Brazil.
Between 2014 to 2020, the ex-Liverpool attacker played with Messi, Busquets, and Alba at the Nou Camp.
“We haven’t had direct talks with Gremio or Suarez,” Inter Miami president Jorge Mas stated on Tuesday.
“I don’t know how Luis Suarez can leave Gremio. But if he does, we are free to talk to Luis and bring him to Inter Miami. That possibility would be there.”
