OFFICIAL: Sevilla re-sign Ivan Rakitic from Barcelona on a four-year deal

Sevilla have announced the signing of Ivan Rakitic from Barcelona on a four-year deal. The player joins for €1.5m plus €9m more in performance-related add ons, according to reports. 

This Wednesday, there will be a farewell ceremony and a press conference for the player. 

The Croatian returns to the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan six years after making the move in the opposite direction.

During his first spell at the Andalusian club, the midfielder made 149 appearances, scoring 32 goals and making 41 assists, as well as captaining the side to the 2014 Europa League title.

Rakitic has made a significant financial sacrifice to re-join his former club - further proof that his love for all things Sevilla hasn't diminished with time.

The 32-year-old's wish was to return to Seville one day, where he met his wife Raquel Mauri.

The move comes off the back of a difficult season at Barcelona, where his playing time took a considerable hit under both Ernesto Valverde and Quique Setien.

Rakitic took issue with the lack of opportunities he was being given on the pitch, adding to his discontent at being put up for sale last summer.

This summer, though, he's understood that the Catalan club wanted to move him on and has found the perfect exit route - back to Sevilla.

The arrival of the Croatian international is a huge boost for Julen Lopetegui, who has already brought in Oscar Rodriguez from Real Madrid this window.