Barcelona sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as free agent until 2025

Barcelona - Barcelona on Wednesday announced they had signed Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang until June 2025 as a free agent.

"It's Auba time!" declared the club in a tweet which included a video of  Aubameyang declaring "I'm here Barcelona fans! Forza Barca!"

"The player will sign a contract until June 30, 2025, with an option to agree departure on June 30, 2023," said the club on their web site, adding that the deal for the 32-year-old included a $113 million buyout clause.

"Aubameyang is a remarkably fast striker and has an eye for goal, having racked up over 300 as a professional. His powerful but accurate shooting have made him one of the most feared goal-getters in the European game," said the statement.

❝ I'm happy to be here. I will give it my all to help the team ❞@Auba pic.twitter.com/6miGvVpdAa

His previous club, Arsenal, on Tuesday released Aubameyang. That cleared the way for the striker, who was already in Spain, to sign for Barcelona as a free agent outside the transfer window which closed on Monday night.

Aubameyang is believed to have taken a significant cut on his Arsenal wage, which started at around $337,000 a week.

Barca continue to be hampered by enormous debts, which amount to more than a billion euros.

They sit fifth in La Liga, a point behind Atletico Madrid, who they play at home on Sunday, when Aubameyang could make his debut.