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Football

25th Jul 2023

Former Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite leaves Espanyol camp in protest

Callum Boyle

Martin Braithwaite

The former Barcelona and Middlesbrough man’s whereabouts are unknown

Former Barcelona and Middlesbrough forward Martin Braithwaite has left Espanyol’s pre-season training camp without warning, according to reports.

Relevo claimed that the Denmark international wasn’t given permission to leave by the club and after returning to training on July 19, has left just one week later amid rumours that he may retire from football.

Braithwaite is also said to be adamant that he won’t play for the club following their relegation to the second tier of Spanish football at the end of last season.

The forward currently has two years left on his contract however retirement may be the only way to successfully negotiate an end to the deal.

Espanyol were expecting Braithwaite to be their main forward going into the 2023/24 campaign following Joselu’s departure to Real Madrid, but it appears that the 32-year-old has other ideas in his mind.

Recently-appointed sporting director Fran Garagarza told Mundo Deportivo: “We don’t know where he is or anything.

“After he left, I called him, but he didn’t pick up. We did speak to his agent, and he tells us that Braithwaite has decided to leave the camp and that he can’t tell us much more.”

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