Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has spoken his first words after joining Barcelona from Arsenal.
The 32-year-old officially left the Gunners after terminating his contract by mutual consent on Tuesday having failed to make a matchday squad since being stripped of the club's captaincy for disciplinary breaches last month.
There had been some hopes that he could be welcomed back into the first-team fold due to the lack of striking depth at the Emirates Stadium, but after manager Mikel Arteta elected not to include him in his travelling party to Dubai for some mid-season warm-weather training, it became clear that the Gabon international's future lay elsewhere.
And after having finally secured his move to the Nou Camp, Aubameyang has opened up on how he's feeling about the situation.
"Very proud, especially because my family is Spanish as well from my mother's side," said the 32-year-old. "I'm just really proud and happy to be here."
The former Borussia Dortmund forward joins a Barcelona side in something of a transition at the minute.
Far from being the great sides seen under Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique in the late 00s and early 10s, La Blaugrana now sit 5th in La Liga having failed to qualify from the Champions League group stage for the first time in over 20 years as they battle with financial struggles that saw Lionel Messi join PSG in the summer.
Aubameyang, though, has stated that his aim is to help his new side change that and to ensure they finish in the Spanish top four this campaign.
"My main goal is to help the team and give everything I can to bring the team back in the Champions League and stuff like that," he said. "So I'm just happy to be here and I will try to give everything."
The Gabon international will be working under legendary former player Xavi, who was appointed as manager at the Nou Camp earlier this season after Ronald Koeman was dismissed.
"That's amazing to have [Xavi] as a coach," he said. "He's been a fantastic player that everyone knows. I'm sure as a coach that he will bring us something that we will learn definitely."
It was a long and protracted process that saw Aubameyang finally join the Catalan club in the end.
The 32-year-old was spotted being greeted by fans at Barcelona airport before any agreement had actually been struck between Barca and Arsenal, and at one point it looked as though the move could be off.
Eventually, though, a deal was found for the forward to head to Spain, where he confirmed that after finally being able to join, he has received a very warm welcome.
"Really happy and everyone is welcoming me very well," the Gabon international said. "As I said, really happy."
