Barcelona have reached an agreement to sign Iceland striker Eidur Gudjohnsen on a four-year deal from Chelsea, the European and Spanish Primera Liga champions said on Wednesday.
Barca said the 27-year-old, who is captain of his national side, would complete the move after undergoing a medical.
Spanish media reported that the Catalans would pay in the region of 8.2 million pounds for the striker, who will replace Henrik Larsson after the Swede decided to end his career at his home town club of Helsingborg.
Gudjohnsen, who scored three goals for Chelsea last season, joined the club from Bolton Wanderers in June 2000 for 4 million pounds and helped the Londoners win the Charity Shield against Manchester United on his debut in August of the same year.
He went on to win two league titles, a Carling Cup and a Community Shield during his six years at Stamford Bridge, scoring 78 goals in 263 appearances.
The recent signings of German international Michael Ballack and Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko threatened to push Gudjohnsen further down the pecking order at Chelsea and prompted him to look for a move away from the club.
Barcelona, who beat Chelsea in the first knockout round of the Champions League this year, were anxious to sign a player who could act as a back-up to Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o and Argentine teenager Lionel Messi.
Barca also announced they have agreed to loan out Argentine striker Maxi Lopez to fellow Primera Liga side Real Mallorca next season.
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