Gabri cuts Barca ties

Gabri has severed his ties with Barcelona after 14 years with the Catalan giants.

The versatile defender, full name Gabriel Garcia de la Torre, has found first-team opportunities at Camp Nou increasingly hard to come by in recent seasons.

Knee and ankle ligament injuries have hindered his career and the 27-year-old has now decided the time is right to move on.

He becomes a free agent having come to the end of his contract with Barca, but has yet to decide where his future lies.

"I'm looking for new sporting goals," he told a press conference.

"I want to thank everyone who has made possible my dream of playing in this team.

"It was a hard decision to leave because this club is my home.

"I have still to decide on my future and whether to stay in Spain or move abroad."

He has been linked with a move to join Frank Rijkaard's former number two Henk ten Cate at Ajax and concedes it is an option he is studying carefully.

"Ajax is a challenge that motivates me because their philosophy is similar to Barca's, although the Spanish league is also of a very high standard," he continued.

"I want a club who can guarantee me the same or similar objectives as Barcelona."

Gabri had the chance to join West Ham during the January transfer window and is likely to receive further offers to ply his trade in England.