Intro:

New Barcelona signing Ivan Rakitic was presented to the media on Monday (June 30th).

Script:

Barcelona have completed the signing of Croatia international midfielder Ivan Rakitic on a five-year contract after agreeing a deal with rival Spanish club Sevilla.

26-year-old Rakitic will help fill the void left by the exit of Cesc Fabregas to Chelsea as Barcelona overhauls its squad following its first season without a major trophy in six years.

Barcelona paid 20-million euros to Sevilla and Barcelona youth player Denis Suarez moved in the other direction on a two-year loan.

Journalist Josep Soldado explained the reason for the Rakitic transfer,

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Josep Soldado, Sports journalist:

"Barca is compelled to win an important title. They cannot afford to go through two consecutive seasons without winning anything. It is uncertain how this new Barcelona will react with so many new faces. And so many well known faces through recent history that will not be here anymore"

Some Barcelona fans are excited to see how Rakitic will cope in his first season at Barca,

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Roger Vives, Barcelona fan:

"Ivan Rakitic is a great player. Now we must see if he is able to continue playing the same way he did with Sevilla. If that is the case it will be a great acquisition."

As team captain, Rakitic helped Sevilla win the Europa League last season.

He scored 32 goals in 149 games for the Andalusian side after arriving from Schalke 04.