Samper set for Barca exit

Barcelona have agreed to terminate the contract of midfielder Sergi Samper, who is reportedly set to join Japanese club Vissel Kobe.

The 24-year-old came up through the youth ranks at Barca and has made 13 appearances for the first team, helping his home-town club win LaLiga, the Champions League, Copa del Rey, World Club Cup and Spanish Super Cup.

A club statement on Monday read: “FC Barcelona and Sergi Samper have reached an agreement for the cancellation of the player’s contract with the club.”

The former Spain Under-21 international has been heavily linked with a move to J1 League side Vissel, where he would join up with former Barca duo Andres Iniesta and David Villa.