Ansu Fati joins Brighton on loan from Barcelona

Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed the signing of winger Ansu Fati on a season-long loan from Barcelona.

Numerous clubs from across the Premier League were tracking Fati this summer but the young forward was initially determined to stay and fight for his spot at Barcelona, only to continue to struggle for minutes in the opening few weeks of the season.

The emergence of 16-year-old Lamine Yamal is understood to have contributed to Fati’s decision to take his talents elsewhere for the remainder of the campaign, and after receiving plenty of interest, he has now inked a temporary deal with Brighton.

There is no option for a permanent transfer as part of the agreement, with Fati set to return to Camp Nou next summer.

Manager Roberto De Zerbi told club media: “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.”

Fati will hope to use his time with Brighton to rebuild some of the early momentum from his career, which was derailed for nearly two years after a nasty knee injury in November 2020.

The 20-year-old has managed 112 appearances for Barcelona, racking up 29 goals and ten assists.