Samper wants Barca chance

Sergi Samper hopes he can win Barcelona first-team opportunities this season after returning to the club from a loan spell at Granada.

The 22-year-old went through a tough season in Andalucia with the club being relegated but he is now training with the Catalans in pre-season.

"Like I have said, I signed a four-year deal [last year] and I know the club have faith in me,” Samper told Diario Sport.

“The idea was to spend a year away on loan and then to come back and now I'm desperate to get started again. I am really looking forward to demonstrating that I can play here.

"I think I'm stronger mentally. Every week it was a final (at Granada) there was a lot of pressure because we were fighting for survival.

“I've learned a lot of things that you don't work on, like the physical aspect of the game, individual battles, the defensive aspect.

"But my dream was and still is to be a success at Barcelona, so in the end, it was more a question of sentiment.

“I see myself here, I hope I stay at Barca for many years. It's my dream and I hope to be a success here."

Samper started only 13 La Liga fixtures this campaign despite arriving in Andalucia highly regarded following his progression through La Masia youth academy with the Blaugrana.