Mascherano’s Destination Revealed As Barcelona Confirms Exit

Barcelona has confirmed that defender Javier Mascherano will leave the club this month.

The Catalan giants said the 33-year-old would be given an official farewell on Wednesday and say goodbye to fans at Thursday’s Copa del Rey quarter-final, second leg against Espanyol.

“Javier Mascherano is leaving FC Barcelona after seven and a half seasons,” the club said on their website on Tuesday.

However, Barcelona sports paper El Mundo Deportivo reported that the Argentinian is heading to Hebei China Fortune.

“He will Friday become part of the squad of his new club Hebei China Fortune who are doing their pre-season in Marbella (in southern Spain)”, it said.

Earlier, Sport newspaper reported that Hebei had reached a deal to sign Mascherano from Barca for 10 million euros ($12.2 million).

Mascherano arrived from Liverpool in August 2010 and won four La Liga titles, four Copas del Rey, two Champions Leagues and two Club World Cups.

He scored a single goal in 334 appearances.