Marcos Alonso speaks about living out his lifelong dream at Barcelona unveiling

Marcos Alonso said he was living out his lifelong dream as he was unveiled as a Barcelona player on Tuesday following his departure from Chelsea last week.

Alonso’s contract at Stamford Bridge was cancelled by mutual consent, ending his six-year spell as a Chelsea player and allowing him make the switch to Camp Nou as a free agent.

The 31-year-old was born in Madrid and actually started his career with Real, making a solitary first-team appearance for Los Blancos in 2010 before moving to England with Bolton Wanderers.

His grandfather, Marquitos, had also played for Real in the 1950s and 1960s, winning five European Cups during that time. But his father, Marcos, found success with Barcelona in the 1980s.

Alonso, who was born in 1990, never saw his father turn out for La Blaugrana, but has still clearly felt an attachment to the club for most of his life.

"Having the opportunity to be part of this great team is what I've always wanted, since I was a child, since my father brought me to the Camp Nou" the left-back said.

"I'm very happy to join the team where my father triumphed."

Even with his father’s legacy, which included winning La Liga after a period of Basque dominance and playing in the 1986 European Cup final, Alonso is expecting no favours.

"A new team, I'm starting from scratch," he said. "I have to work hard to earn a place."

Barcelona president Joan Laporta said: "He continues a lineage of Barcelona players because his great-grandfather and his father played here. It's very emotional to have you here because we have great affection for your father.

"Marcos Alonso is a versatile player, a winger, a central defender, a midfielder."