Anthony Gordon has signed for Barcelona after an EIGHT hour delay in Spain
Anthony Gordon has joined Barcelona
Anthony Gordon has joined Barcelona
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Anthony Gordon has delivered an emotional parting message to Newcastle United after being unveiled as a Barcelona star.
[The England international was unveiled tonight in Catalonia and will now link up with the Three Lions after sealing his £69.3million move to the La Liga giants.](http://The England international was unveiled last night in Catalonia and will now link up with the Three Lions after sealing his £69.3million move to the La Liga giants.)
Gordon - who has signed a five-year contract - faced an anxious wait as the paperwork was firmed up on Friday, with his lunchtime Press conference finally taking place at 8pm.
Gordon, whose Press conference was delayed for EIGHT hours in Barcelona due to a paperwork issue, said: "I owe this club (Newcastle) a lot because, when I arrived, I was quite lost both in life and in football. The club has given me a sense of belonging and a sense of identity. It's allowed me to do what I always thought I could do. It's put me on the biggest stage and allowed me to perform for the shirt.
"Since coming to the club, I feel I've improved a lot on the pitch, but this club has played a big part in the person I've become over the last three-and-a-half years.
"It was really important for me to leave this place in a good way because I've loved every single minute of being a part of Newcastle United. This is an incredible club and one that I'll never forget. I'll be a fan for the rest of my life."
Newcastle United Head Coach, Eddie Howe, said: "While we're disappointed to lose Anthony from our squad, we understand that this is a big opportunity for him.
"He has been a big part of our success in recent years, and the fact that he developed into an England international during his time at Newcastle United is a testament to the hard work he invested to his development with the support from everyone at the club.
"He leaves with our best wishes, and I am confident that he will go onto be a success, both with Barcelona and the national team at this year's World Cup."
Newcastle could bank up to €1million per season if Gordon features in 60 per cent of fixtures, something he has never struggled to do during his time at United.
The Magpies have also agreed a sell on clause should Gordon make another big money move from the Nou Camp side in the next few years.
The Kirkdale-born forward's old club will also pick up 15% of the profit on the Barca deal after inserting the clause back in 2023 when he made the £45million switch from Everton.
Gordon will head to the World Cup playing catch-up in terms of fitness after not kicking a ball for Newcastle since early April in the 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace.
After that, he picked up a hip flexor injury and missed two matches before returning to Eddie Howe's Toon squad and ending the season as an unused substitute in the final four matches of the campaign.
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