Josep Maria Bartomeu welcomed Paulinho to FC Barcelona and said he was delighted to bring the Brazilian to the club for the next four seasons. At the official presentation of the player, the Barça president said “I want to thank Paulinho for accepting Barça’s offer and thank him for his efforts and his club for letting him leave. He was requested by the sporting director and the football staff, he is a player the club was interested in”.

Bartomeu who handed Paulinho his new shirt said that Barça “paid an amount similar to his release fee”. The fee is believed to be around €40 million.

The Brazilian international is fulfilling a dream by joining Barça and has taken a €2 million pay cut – reducing his salary to €5 million net per season.