In August 2014, Thomas Vermaelen completed a £15 million transfer from Arsenal to Barcelona but since then he’s been plagued with injuries and hasn’t lined out for the Catalan side in 591 days.
The Belgian went from being Arsenal’s captain and regular starter to being a Barcelona back-up player making only 11 appearances in over 3 years.
Vermaelen did make 9 appearance for AS Roma while out on loan in the 2016-17 season but he made his first official appearance for Barca in almost 2 years against Real Murcia in the Copa del Rey last night.
Since his time at the Nou Camp, Vermaelen has won 2 La Ligas, 1 Copa del Rey and a FIFA club World Cup, virtually all from the bench.
Thomas Vermaelen made his first official Barça appearance in 591 days last night.
He’s earned £4,000,000 since he joined the club. ??? pic.twitter.com/dBrcwr3Umx
— Football__Tweet (@Football__Tweet) October 25, 2017
Despite getting little or no game time, the Belgian centre-back has been financially rewarded for his patience making over €4,000,000 since signing for the Spanish giants.
That works out at €363,636 per appearance. Not too shabby.