Signing Ibrahimovic was a mistake, says former Barcelona president Joan Laporta

Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta has conceded that bringing Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Catalunya in the summer of 2009 was a mistake.

The Blaugrana paid a hefty transfer fee to Inter for the services of the Sweden international, and also included Samuel Eto'o in the deal, but Ibrahimovic never felt at ease at Camp Nou and left the club for AC Milan only one year later.

"Ibra never really got on the same page as the rest of the team. Signing him was a mistake," Laporta was quoted as saying by La Repubblica.

"There was a lot of pressure on him to perform after we signed him, but football is all about the collective. Solidarity is even more important at Barcelona than anywhere else."

The 30-year-old striker has been in superb form for Milan in the 2011-12 campaign, and has already netted 22 goals in 23 Serie A appearances, as well as scoring five times in the Champions League.

Ibrahimovic will be looking to add to his tally in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final clash at San Siro versus Barca.