United defender heads to Barcelona

(GETTY IMAGES)

Barcelona have agreed to sign defender Gerard Pique from Manchester United on a four-year contract, the Primera Liga club said on Tuesday.

The former Barca youth team centre back left for United in 2004 and played the 2006-7 season on loan with Real Zaragoza. He moves for a reported fee of around five million euros ($7.88 million).

The 21-year-old is the club's second close-season signing after Mali midfielder Seydou Keita, who joined from Sevilla on Monday.

Barcelona finished third in the Primera Liga earlier this month.