By Chris Wright
Word on the wire was that he’d be following Frank Lampard to New York City at the end of the season but it would appear that Barcelona grandmeister Xavi Hernandez is instead planning to see out his playing days in sunny Qatar.
According to AS, Xavi has agreed a deal to sign for Qatari side Al Sadd SC which will see the 35-year-old midfielder pick up an annual salary of €10million for the next three years with an added increased lump sum on top of that if he stays to see out a fourth season.
It’s nice work if you can get it, eh?
The Barca man has also signed up to undertake other duties at Al Sadd, including acting as an advisor at the club’s Aspire youth academy.
As if that wasn’t enough to be going on with, he’s also going to be pursuing his coaching qualifications too.
And so endeth a quarter of a century at the only club colours (and hairstyle) he’s ever known – until he realises the dreadful mistake he’s made and rejoins the Barca backroom staff in roughly 18 months’ time, of course.