FC Barcelona have beaten Paris St-Germain (PSG) to the signing of one of England’s brightest talents in 16-year-old striker Louie Barry from Championship side West Bromwich Albion.
British media had reported that Barry had undergone a medical with French Ligue 1 champions PSG before FC Barcelona stepped in at the last minute,
The Spanish champions convinced him to join the ranks at La Masia, the club’s famed academy.
Barry, who turned 16 last month, signed a three-year deal with FC Barcelona until 2022 and will play for their Under-19 team while West Brom will receive 235,000 pounds as compensation.
“(Barry) is an international with the English Under-16 team, for whom he has played nine games and scored seven goals.
Next season he will be part of Barca’s Under-19 squad,” Barcelona said in a statement on Thursday.
Barry joins the growing number of English youngsters who have moved to foreign clubs, such as Borussia Dortmund’s 19-year-old winger Jadon Sancho.
Sancho came of age last season with 13 goals and 19 assists in all competitions.(Reuters/NAN)