Former France defender Eric Abidal has rejoined big- spending Monaco on a one-year deal after his contract ended at Barcelona.
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Monaco said on their website (www.asm-fc.com) that the 33-year-old left back, who began his professional career with them in 2000, was returning after 13 years with Lille, Olympique Lyon and Barcelona.
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Abidal said an emotional farewell to Barcelona last month after the Spanish club decided not to renew his contract.
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The defender, who won 61 caps for his country and played in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, had fought his way back into the squad after having a liver transplant last year.
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Monaco are bankrolled by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev and have been active in the transfer market since winning promotion to Ligue 1 at the end of last season.
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Their signings include Colombian striker Radamel Falcao from Atletico Madrid for a transfer fee that media reports said was in excess of 50 million euros ($64.17 million).
I think it was high time he left Barcelona...They are complete there already so Monaco would need more. Very dope one.