Manchester United announce Ona Batlle is leaving to join Barcelona

Manchester United have announced the defender Ona Batlle is to leave and sign for Barcelona on the completion of her contract at the end of the month.

The 24-year-old Spain international joined United in the summer of 2020 after leaving Levante and made 77 appearances, scoring three goals. She was included in the Professional Footballers’ Association Women’s Super League team of the year for 2022-23 after an impressive campaign in which she helped United achieve their best finish in the division. United were also FA Cup runners-up.

The news comes three days on from United announcing the England forward Alessia Russo is to depart at the end of her contract.

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Batlle, who came through the Barcelona youth set-up and played for their B team, is returning to the recently crowned European champions on a deal to 2026. She played for Spain at Euro 2022 and has been included in the provisional squad for the World Cup that starts next month in Australia and New Zealand.