Barcelona have been quiet in the transfer market for much of the summer, focusing primarily on consolidating the squad and integrating new signings under Hansi Flick.
While several young talents impressed in pre-season, first-team opportunities remain limited due to the depth of the squad, especially in defensive positions.
Roony Bardghji’s registration issues have also dominated headlines, with the club making careful adjustments to comply with La Liga rules.
Meanwhile, La Masia graduates continue to be monitored by other Spanish clubs looking to give them top-flight experience.
With the transfer window now over, clubs across La Liga scrambled late last night to finalise loan deals and permanent transfers before the window closed.
Barcelona completed their only pending outgoing business of the summer on deadline day, with Hector Fort officially announced as an Elche player.
The Catalans reached an agreement for a season-long loan that will see the 19-year-old right back remain in La Liga for the 2025–26 campaign.
“Barcelona and Elche Club de Futbol have reached an agreement for the loan of the player Hector Fort until 30 June 2026,” the club confirmed in an official statement on their website.
Mallorca had also expressed interest in signing Fort, but Elche acted swiftly to secure the deal.
Hector Fort becomes the second Barcelona player in recent days to move down the Spanish coast, following Inaki Pena’s season-long loan to the newly promoted side.
Barcelona were initially hoping that Fort’s departure would clear space to register Roony Bardghji, but the summer signing has instead been registered with Barca Atletic.
Fort made 20 appearances for Barcelona during Flick’s debut season, serving mainly as Jules Kounde’s backup at right back.
Following Kounde’s injury late last season, Flick preferred to deploy Eric Garcia in the role, and that trend has continued this term, limiting Fort’s opportunities.
Now with Elche, Fort has the chance to gain regular first-team minutes and continue his development in La Liga, while remaining under contract with Barcelona until 2029.
Before embarking on what promises to be a challenging season with a newly promoted side fighting to avoid relegation, Fort is also set to represent Spain in the U–20 World Cup in late September, keeping him in the spotlight for future Barcelona plans.
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