Barcelona has made a significant addition to their roster, signing Nigerian forward Chimezie Metu on a one-year deal as a free agent.
The D’Tigers star will be looking to make his mark in European basketball after six seasons in the United States.
Metu, a second-round draft pick of the San Antonio Spurs in 2018, opted for a change of scenery following a stint with the Detroit Pistons. The 27-year-old brings NBA experience and athleticism to the Spanish powerhouse.
In a statement, Barcelona expressed their excitement about the signing, highlighting Metu’s impressive statistics from his final NBA season.
“Chimezie Metu and FC Barcelona have reached an agreement for the incorporation of the American player, of Nigerian origin. The pivot winger, 27 years old and 2.08 meters, signs for one season for the Peñarroya team, until June 30, 2025.
“Metu arrives at Palau as a free agent, having played the final stretch of the 2023/24 season with the NBA’s Detroit Pistons, averaging 10.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. The American arrives at Barça in his first experience in Europe and becomes the fourth signing after the arrivals of Kevin Punter, Justin Anderson, and Juan Núñez.”
Metu expressed his eagerness to join the team and play in front of the passionate Barcelona fans. “Hi Culers, it’s Chimezie Metu here. I’m very excited to be joining the team and I can’t wait to see all of you at Palau Blaugrana. This season’s going to be a great year. I hope to see everybody there.”
Metu joins a growing list of new signings for Barcelona as they aim to compete for top honors in the EuroLeague and domestic competitions.
