Dani Alves follows through on Barcelona vow as he agrees Nou Camp return

Dani Alves has returned to Barcelona after five years away having said last year that he was just a call away.

The Brazilian moved to the Nou Camp back in 2008 and was a crucial part of their trophy-laden era.

In recent years in the Catalans have endured a steep decline and are some way off the pace in La Liga.

Ronald Koeman has paid the price with his job and they have turned to club legend Xavi, who was appointed this week.

He inherits a group with plenty of young talent, but it is far from the star-studded squad it once was.

Xavi has moved quick to bring Alves back to Spain with the right-back claiming back in October that his affection for the club would draw him back if they came knocking.

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He told Sport : "It would sound very opportunistic to say that Barca need me now. I always said that I left because I saw things were not the way I thought they should be.

"You never want to see everything that [has] ended up happening since I left. I've said that when Barca need me and want me, I would be at their disposal regardless of where I am.

"The affection, love and respect I have for this club is too much.

"If Barca think they need me, they just have to call me. I still think I can contribute anywhere, but more at Barca because of the number of young players that they have now."

Alves will be able to play from January, by which time the Catalans could already be out of the Champions League and chasing the top four.

Barcelona published a statement which read: "FC Barcelona and Dani Alves have reached an agreement in principle for the player to join the football first team for the remainder of the current season.

"The Brazilian will be joining training from next week but will not be able to play until January.

"The club will announce the full details at his official presentation as a new FC Barcelona player."

The Spanish giants hailed Alves as "the greatest right-back in Barca history" when they announced his return.

The Brazilian, who claimed Olympic gold in the summer, was available after his contract with Sao Paulo was terminated in September following a dispute over unpaid salaries.

During his first spell at Barcelona Alves won six LaLiga titles and three Champions Leagues before heading to Juventus and PSG, where more success followed.