Arsenal and Barcelona have reached agreement for the sale of Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen to the Catalan club, both clubs have announced.

The 28-year-old, who made over 150 appearances for Arsenal in his five years at the Emirates, has signed a five-year contract with the Catalan club.

It had been widely speculated that Vermaelen would move to Manchester United this summer but Arsene Wenger preferred the player to move abroad, rather than to one of his Premier League rivals.

Vermaelen is the second defender to join Barca during this transfer window after Jeremy Mathieu moved from Valencia, and the 47-time capped Belgian is also the second player to move to the Nou Camp from the Premier League following Luis Suarez to jump on board the Luis Enrique revolution.

Vermaelen will officially be presented to media and fans as a Barcelona player on Wednesday.