Thomas Vermaelen injured again, delays Barcelona debut

Published Nov. 23, 2014 12:00 p.m. ET

foxsports

BARCELONA, Spain --

Barcelona says Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen has had another injury and will remain sidelined.

The Spanish club says Vermaelen is experiencing pain in his ''right leg muscles.''

The 29-year-old Vermaelen has yet to debut for Barcelona since it signed him to a five-year contract following a â¬19-million (then $25.4-million) transfer from Arsenal last summer.

He has been sidelined since an injury at the World Cup but was expected to return to playing soon.

Injuries limited Vermaelen to 14 appearances for Arsenal last season.