Barcelona veteran star joins group training for the first time this season – report

In what will come as a boost for Barcelona, new signing Inigo Martinez has joined his first group training session of the new campaign, reports Alex Pintanel.

Martinez, 32, signed for Barcelona earlier this summer, arriving on a free transfer after his contract with Athletic Club had expired.

The veteran defender, though, had not recovered from the foot injury he had sustained last season, which required surgery.

As such, Martinez had been not capable of participating in group training sessions since joining the club and was mainly doing individual work to return to full fitness.

Inigo Martinez closing in on a return

Now, though, it appears that Martinez is very close to returning to action having joined his first training session with the rest of the group today.

Due to his fitness situation, the Spanish international did not participate in any of the pre-season friendly matches on the tour of the USA, nor did he feature in the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Tottenham.

Martinez was also not in the matchday squad for the La Liga season opener against Getafe as Barcelona have not yet registered him owing to his injury.

But, with the 32-year-old now back in group training, his return to the pitch could be getting closer and closer.

And, as such, Barça will look to complete his registration at the earliest possible, along with other unregistered stars like Marcos Alonso and Inaki Pena.

It will be interesting to see if Martinez is ready in time for Barcelona’s upcoming La Liga clash against Cadiz on Sunday or if Xavi waits until the Villarreal game next week to call him up.