Football
Malian midfielder Keita quits Barcelona
PHOTO | LLUIS GENE | AFP | FILE Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita of Mali celebrates on March 3, 2012 after scoring against Sporting Gijon during a Spanish league football match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona.
Posted Sunday, July 8 2012 at 09:15
MADRID
Mali midfielder Seydou Keita has quit Barcelona after his four-year contract ended, having won 14 titles with the team, the club said late Saturday.
"Seydou Keita has announced this evening that he won't be staying at the club next season," said a statement published on the club's website.
"FC Barcelona thanks Seydou Keita for his services to the club over the years and wishes him professional and personal success in the future."
The Barcelona sports press reported that Keita, 32, was planning to move to Chinese club Dalian Aerbin.
Keita previously played for French clubs Marseille, Lorient and Lens before moving to Spain where he played for Seville for one season.
He moved to Barcelona in 2008 as the first signing by coach Pep Guardiola, who quit at the end of last season.
(AFP)
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