BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - FC Barcelona signed midfielder Seydou Keita from Sevilla to a four-year contract on Monday.
Barcelona gave no financial details, but news reports said the club has paid the €14 million (US$22.1 million) buyout clause attached to the Mali international's contract, which had three years to run.
Barcelona has set the buyout clause of Keita's new contract at €90 million (US$142 million).
Keita, who passed a routine medical with Barcelona on Friday, enjoyed an impressive first season in Spain after arriving from Lens nearly a year ago. Acting as a midfield lynchpin, he also scored several spectacular long-range goals. He previously played for Marseille and Lorient.
The 28-year-old Keita is Barcelona's first signing since it announced this month that reserve team coach Pep Guardiola would replace Frank Rijkaard as coach after a second straight season without a trophy.
Barcelona finished third in the league - its worst placing for five years - and was knocked out in the Champions League semifinals by eventual winner Manchester United.
Barcelona is also expected to sign Manchester United defender Gerard Pique for a reported fee of €5 million (US$8 million).
Defensive midfielder Edmilson left for Villarreal on Friday to begin what is expected to be an exodus of players, likely to include Ronaldinho, Deco and Samuel Eto'o, all of whom were key players when Barcelona won the 2006 Champions League.
AC Milan has expressed interest in signing Ronaldinho, Eto'o and fullback Gianluca Zambrotta.
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