Soccer-Kessie joins Barcelona as free agent after leaving AC Milan

(Reuters) - Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie has joined Barcelona on a free transfer after leaving AC Milan, the LaLiga club announced on Monday.

Barcelona said Kessie has signed a contract until June 2026 and his buy-out clause would be set at 500 million euros ($522.80 million).

The 25-year-old left AC Milan at the end of his contract in June after helping the Italian club win their first Serie A title in 11 years last season.

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Kessie, who can contribute in attack and defence, has 58 caps for Ivory Coast.

Barcelona came second in LaLiga last season, finishing behind rivals Real Madrid.

($1 = 0.9564 euros)

(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge)