Barcelona's Thomas Vermaelen has Surgery, Faces Four Months Off
Thomas Vermaelen's only appearance so far since his high profile move was in a friendly game for Barcelona's reserves in September.
Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen has undergone surgery on his troublesome right hamstring, the Catalan club announced on Tuesday.
Barca, in a statement, reported: "Thomas Vermaelen was operated on his right leg muscle with a satisfactory outcome.
"His recovery time will be around four months."
The former Arsenal captain moved to Spain in a reported 19 million-euro (£15m, $23.7m) deal in August.
The 29-year-old Belgian international's only appearance so far since his high profile move was in a friendly game for Barcelona's reserves in September.
He is now set to make his long-awaited official debut for his new club in April.
Vermaelen suffered a series of fitness setbacks during his five-year Arsenal career where he missed virtually the whole of the 2010-11 campaign.
He featured in the Belgium squad which reached the World Cup quarter-finals in Brazil although injury ruled him out of the 1-0 loss to Argentina in the last eight.