Seydou Keita is leaving Barça. The Catalan club's website was as direct as that in announcing the news. The Malian midfielder's will join Chinese club Dalian Aerbin, with whom he's signed a two and a half year contract.

Barcelona won't receive a transfer fee. Keita had a clause in his contract allowing him t o leave the club if he didn't start at least 50% of the club's games last season. Despite this, Barcelona was sure that the midfielder would stay at the club. Those were the words of Tito Vilanova during his official presentation, where he also added that he only wanted players who wanted to stay in the squad.

Keita was in China last week where he was photographed alongside his wife and his agent at the doors of the Yuanyan International Hotel in Dalian. According to Chinese media sources, he was negotiating with the Chinese Super League club, Dalian Aerbin.

After four seasons at the club, Barcelona had these words of thanks for Keita during his farewell: "FC Barcelona thanks Seydou Keita for his contribution to the club throughout his time here, and we wish him all the best for the future."

Barça signed Keita from Sevilla in 2008 for