Martin Braithwaite's contract with Barcelona will be terminated, both parties have agreed.
Following an injury to Ousmane Dembele, Barca was given an emergency extension to complete the acquisition outside of the transfer window, and the 31-year-old joined the team from Leganes in February 2020.
Braithwaite had a significant season in 2020–21, scoring twice against Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League, but an injury last year forced him to miss a significant amount of time.
When the forward returned from his fitness session, he was informed that he was no longer needed at Camp Nou. Barcelona had been working to sever the forward's contract throughout the transfer window to make room for new signings.
Barcelona were unable to do so, however, until the final day of the transfer window, with it widely reported Braithwaite will make the short trip across the city to join rivals Espanyol.
“Barcelona and Martin Braithwaite have reached an agreement to terminate the contract binding the player to the club until the end of the 2023-24 season,” a statement read.
“Barcelona publicly expresses its gratitude to Braithwaite for his commitment and dedication and wishes him the best of fortune and every success in the future.”
Xavi’s side are set for a busy period in the final hours of the transfer window, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sergino Dest poised to complete departures.
Incoming deals are also on the cards in the form of defenders Hector Bellerin and Marcos Alonso from Arsenal and Chelsea respectively.