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    Brighton confirms signing of Ansu Fati on loan

    Emma TeeBy No Comments2 Mins Read

    • Ansu Fati joins Brighton on loan from Barcelona.

    Brighton confirms signing of Ansu Fati on loan
    Brighton confirms signing of Ansu Fati on loan

    Winger Ansu Fati has been officially signed by Brighton & Hove Albion on a one-season loan from Barcelona.

    The teenage forward was being pursued by a number of Premier League clubs this summer, but he was initially keen to stay and compete for a role at Barcelona. However, he continued to struggle for minutes in the first few weeks of the season.

    It is believed that the rise of 16-year-old Lamine Yamal had a role in Fati’s decision to take his skills elsewhere for the balance of the season. After garnering a lot of interest, he has now signed a short-term contract with Brighton.

    As part of the agreement, there is no provision for a permanent transfer; Fati will return to Camp Nou in the coming 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 hopes to use his time with Brighton to regain some of his career’s early momentum, which was seriously damaged by a knee injury in November 2020 and put on hold for almost two years.

    With 112 appearances for Barcelona, the 20-year-old has amassed 29 goals and ten assists.