England international Marcus Rashford has completed a season-long loan move from Manchester United to Barcelona, expressing that he already feels “at home” at the La Liga club.
The 27-year-old joins the Catalan giants on an initial 12-month deal, with Barcelona securing an option to make the transfer permanent in 2026 for £30.3 million (€35 million).
Rashford becomes the first English player to sign for the club, who won the league and cup double last season, since Gary Lineker in 1986.
Reasons for the Move:
- Personal Connection: Rashford told the club’s YouTube channel that Barcelona “is a club where people’s dreams come true,” and that he chose the move because it feels like a “family place” and a “good place for good players to showcase their skills.”
- Manager Influence: He also cited positive conversations with manager Hansi Flick, praising the coach’s terrific work last season.
- United Exit: Rashford has not played for his boyhood club, Manchester United, since last December, having been dropped by manager Ruben Amorin, and spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at Aston Villa. He was confirmed in July as one of five players who wished to leave the club.
Barcelona will cover the entirety of Rashford’s wages after he agreed to take a pay cut, which is expected to save Manchester United between £14-£15 million over the next year.
Rashford, who emerged from United’s academy, leaves the Premier League for the first time in his career, having scored 138 goals in 426 matches for the Red Devils and winning five major trophies.
He is expected to join his new teammates for the pre-season tour of Asia, starting on Thursday.
