Arturo Vidal has signed his two-year contract with Inter, including an option for a third, after arriving from Barcelona for free.

It was reported initially that Barca wanted €1m to release the midfielder, but instead, the deal was done for only performance-related bonuses.

He flew in on Sunday night at Linate Airport, had his medical on Monday morning and signed the contract at the Inter HQ that afternoon.

The official announcement was not made until Tuesday morning.

It is a return to Serie A for the 33-year-old Chile international, who wore the Juventus jersey from 2011-15.

He worked with coach Antonio Conte to win three consecutive Serie A titles and is reunited with the tactician at San Siro.

Vidal’s previous clubs include Bayern Munich and Barcelona, who he joined in 2018.

He made 124 Serie A appearances for Juve, scoring 35 goals and providing 22 assists.

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi sent Vidal a farewell message on Instagram before the move was confirmed, telling the Chilean:

“I only knew you from facing each other and you always seemed like a phenomenon to me, but later I was lucky to meet you personally and you surprised me even more.

“They were two years sharing many things and you made yourself noticed. The dressing room is going to miss you.

“I wish you all the best in this new stage at your new club. We will cross paths again, for sure.”

As well as thanking Messi, Vidal sent a message to all involved with Barcelona, saying those he met during his time at the club would be “always in my heart”.

“I am very proud to have worn this shirt and for having played alongside great players and very good people,” Vidal wrote.

“I want to thank my family, my team-mates, the coaches, the doctors, the staff and all the wonderful fans who always showed me a lot of love.”