Brighton & Hove Albion have loaned striker Ansu Fati from Barcelona for a season, the English Premier League club announced on Friday.
The Spanish LaLiga club added that the deal doesn’t include an option to make the transfer permanent.
Trained at Barcelona’s academy, Fati enjoyed a great season in 2019-20, scoring eight goals in 33 appearances in all competitions.
Although his playing minutes were limited by injuries over the next two years, he was a regular in Xavi Hernández’s side last season and made 36 league appearances as Barcelona won the LaLiga title. Fati has also been a nine-time member of Spain’s national team.
The 20-year-old has been in the crosshairs of London club Tottenham Hotspur, but his decision to move to the south coast is a major coup for Brighton, who have built a reputation for nurturing young talent.
“We are delighted to bring Ansu to the club. He is one of the most sought-after young players in the world and, despite his age, brings impressive experience in both domestic football and European competitions,” said the club’s sporting director, David Weir.
“This season is the most important in the club’s history, and we are delighted that a player of Ansu’s quality will be included.”
Brighton finished sixth last season and will play in the Europa League this season, the first in their history in European competition.
The team around coach Roberto de Zerbi, sixth in the Premier League standings, welcomes Newcastle United on Saturday.
