Barcelona have said new signing Thomas Vermaelen is out of action with a hamstring injury suffered at the World Cup.
- Tomas: Vermaelen right for Barca
The Belgium international, who moved to the Camp Nou from Arsenal earlier this month, will have physio treatment, with its progress determining the kind of training he is able to do, a club statement said.
The statement added: "New signing Thomas Vermaelen injured his right hamstring while playing at the World Cup in June. His presence in training sessions will depend on how his recovery progresses."
Barca completed the signing of Vermaelen from Arsenal for a fee believed to be in the region of 15 million pounds at the weekend.
The Gunners club captain, 28, made only 21 appearances in an injury-disrupted campaign last season, and was an unused substitute in the FA Cup final victory over Hull.
Barcelona said in a statement on their website: "Thomas Vermaelen is now officially an FC Barcelona player. The player signed a contract that binds him with the club for the next five seasons, until 2018-19.''
- FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 10, 2014
"I'm feeling very happy," Vermaelen told Barca TV on Saturday. "I'm very excited to play for this beautiful club. It's one of the best in the world. It's a dream for a lot of people to play for this club.
"You play with the best players in the world, and I'm very honoured to play with them. It means I can be a better player when I train every day with these players."
He had been linked with Manchester United, but it is understood that Arsenal proposed a swap deal -- something the Red Devils were not prepared to do.
Information from the Press Association was used in this report.