Barcelona completes surprise loan signing of South American defender in one of the more intriguing January arrivals at Camp Nou.
Fabrizio Romano’s “here we go!” confirms the operation, blending low financial risk with high upside potential for Deco’s La Masia rebuild.
The arrangement includes a €1.8 million buy option plus add-ons, potentially turning mandatory based on performance milestones—a textbook Barcelona move amid FFP constraints.
The left-back in question is Patricio Pacifico, a versatile defender who can also operate centrally and has been earmarked as long-term cover for Alejandro Balde.
At 19, Pacifico brings South American grit combined with technical maturity, having captained Uruguay’s U20 side and impressed in Defensor’s senior setup.
His deal sees him initially join Barça Atlètic, where he’ll compete for minutes while training with Hansi Flick’s first-team group—following the proven pathway of Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí.
This signing slots perfectly into Barcelona’s youth revolution.
Alongside imminent arrivals like Hamza Abdelkarim, Ajay Tavares, and Juwensley Onstein—plus ongoing talks for Ruud Nijstad—Pacifico bolsters a defensive pipeline strained by injuries and sales.
His two-footedness, overlapping runs, and ball progression suit Flick’s high-line system, offering rotation depth at a position where Gerard Martín has struggled.
The €1.8m option represents shrewd business, potentially yielding a Balde successor without hefty upfront spend.
Romano’s endorsement carries weight—Pacifico’s medical and signing are imminent after Defensor greenlit the move.
For a club leading La Liga yet navigating squad gaps, this pragmatic coup underscores Deco’s global scouting prowess.
Pacifico joins a Barça B promotion push, but expect first-team cameos in Copa del Rey or rotation fixtures.
Uruguay’s next generational full-back lands at Camp Nou, ready to compete in a city obsessed with beautiful football. Welcome to the Blaugrana family.
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