Barcelona confirm Dani Alves will return to the club in stunning homecoming

Barcelona have confirmed the return of Dani Alves.

The 38-year-old, who left the Camp Nou in 2016 after a hugely successful eight years at the club, has been a free agent since leaving Sao Paulo in September and will sign a contract until the end of the season.

Former teammate Xavi Hernadez recently took over from Ronald Koeman and has talked about the club’s need to restore some of the principles lost since the end of the Luis Enrique era which, in turn, was the final genuine glory days of the dream team Pep Guardiola had created between 2008 and 2012.

“FC Barcelona and Dani Alves have reached an agreement in principle for the player to join the football first team for the remainder of the current season,” read a statement on their official website.

“The Brazilian will be joining training from next week but will not be able to play until January.

“The club will announce the full details at his official presentation as a new FC Barcelona player.”

In his first spell, Alves won six La Liga titles as well three Champions League crowns and is described as their “greatest ever right-back” in the statement.