Spain forward Ansu Fati has completed a season-long loan move to Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion from Barcelona.
“We are pleased to confirm the signing of Ansu Fati on a season-long loan from Barcelona,” Brighton said in a statement on their website, adding: “The 20-year-old made 36 La Liga appearances last season for Barca, as they secured their first title for four years.”
Speaking on signing the player, coach Roberto De Zerbi said: “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 to the level he deserves to be.”
Ansu holds a number of records for Barcelona, having joined their famous academy, La Masia, at age ten. He became the club’s second-youngest appearance maker in August 2019 when he came on as a substitute in a 5-2 win over Real Betis, before becoming Barca’s youngest goal scorer in a 2-2 draw against Osasuna six days later.
He finished the 2019-20 season having made 33 appearances and scoring eight goals. He was named in the first UEFA La Liga Revelation Team of the Year and the following season he won La Liga’s Player of the Month award for September.
Last season he enjoyed more success with club and country, winning La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup as well as the UEFA Nations League with Spain. Fati, who has represented his country at the senior level nine times, and scored two goals, made two appearances at the FIFA World Cup.