Barcelona officially register Gavi contract & assign new shirt number

Barcelona have confirmed that they have finally been able to register the new contract of midfield starlet Gavi.

The 18-year-old had agreed terms on a new deal back in the autumn, but Barça were unable to verify it with La Liga due to salary cap rules.

The club have been working hard behind the scenes in order to officially sign off the contract and prevent Gavi from essentially becoming a free agent.

And Barcelona confirmed on Tuesday that Gavi’s new deal has been green-lit with La Liga following an appeal at a commercial court.

“Today the No10 Commercial Court in Barcelona has made a decision agreeing the adoption of the unusual, provisional measure consisting of ‘urging the Spanish Football League (LFP)’ to do all that is necessary so that the player Pablo Paez ‘Gavi’ can be registered as an FC Barcelona First Team player before the close of the winter transfer market at 12.00am CET,” a statement from Barcelona read.

“The decision comes following a request made by FC Barcelona last Friday, in light of the refusal of the corresponding body of the LFP to accept the player’s registration despite the Club considering that all necessary requirements had been met to do so, just as the Court has decided provisionally.

“The decision recognises the authority of the LFP and considers there is a principle of legitimacy in FC Barcelona’s claim and that the failure to register the player before the end of the transfer window would imply the players free agency and therefore cause serious, irreparable damage to FC Barcelona.

“La Liga has been notified of the verdict arrived at by the court and the player can now be registered as a first team player.”

As part of the process, Barcelona will hand Gavi the vacant number six shirt. He was worn number 30 so far this season, having still been registered with Barça Atletic until now.