Brighton & Hove Albion have signed attacker Ansu Fati on loan from Barcelona for the season.
The 20-year-old has left his boyhood club for the Premier League, where he will hope to revive his career.
Fati, once considered the next big thing from Barcelona’s La Masia academy, has joined the Seagulls and will compete with Kaoru Mitoma for a starting spot on the left wing.
Barcelona were willing to let Fati leave after he fell down the pecking order at the Catalan club under Xavi Hernandez.
The Spanish international struggled with injuries, but Xavi has not given him the trust he needs to flourish even when he has been fit.
He heads to England hoping to reignite his career under the guidance of Roberto De Zerbi, who played a crucial role in bringing him to the Amex Stadium.
Fati becomes Brighton’s eighth summer signing after Carlos Baleba, Joao Pedro, Bart Verbruggen, Mahmoud Dahoud, James Milner, Igor Julio and Adrian Mazilu.
He comes with plenty of promise and experience, having made 36 La Liga appearances for a Barca side that won La Liga last season.
De Zerbi said (via Brighton’s official website): “This is a great deal for all of us. I am sure Ansu will help us to reach a new target, and we can help him get back at the level he deserves to be.”
Technical director David Weir added: “We are delighted to bring Ansu to the club. He is one of the most highly-rated young players in the world and arrives with an impressive amount of experience both domestically and in European competition despite his age.
“This season is the biggest in the club’s history, and we’re really happy that a player of Ansu’s quality is going to be part of it.
“We will give him the opportunity to embed himself in the squad and to get used to working with Roberto, but naturally, we’re excited to see him in a Brighton shirt.”
