Barcelona has officially welcomed a standout South American defender to Camp Nou, strengthening the heart of the defence.
The 19-year-old arrives on a deal that initially runs as a loan until the end of the current season, with Barcelona cleverly inserting a purchase option that could see the move made permanent in the summer if he impresses.
He will immediately join Barça Atlètic, where he will look to help Juliano Belletti’s side in their push for promotion from the RFEF Primera Federación while adapting to Spanish football and the club’s demanding positional play.
That defender is Patricio Pacifico, a left-back by trade who can also operate as a centre-back, signed from Uruguayan outfit Defensor Sporting, as per the official Barcelona statement.
Tall, robust, and aggressive in duels, Pacifico also stands out for his ability to progress the ball from the back, a trait that fits neatly with Barcelona’s traditional build-up principles.
Before arriving in Catalonia, he had already accumulated 40 first-team appearances for Defensor Sporting, scoring two goals and gaining invaluable senior experience in Uruguay’s top flight.
The deal continues Barcelona’s winter focus on youth, following the arrivals of Juwensley Onstein and Hamza Abdelkarim, with all three set to strengthen Barça Atlètic in the short term and potentially the senior squad in the long term.
For the Catalan club, the loan-plus-buy-option structure offers a financially cautious way to secure upside on a promising talent while staying within La Liga’s economic limits.
On the international stage, Pacifico has already represented Uruguay at both U17 and U20 levels, making 15 appearances for the latter and underlining his status as one of his country’s most promising young defenders.
His immediate objective will be to adapt quickly to the tempo and tactical demands of Spanish football, earn the trust of Belletti and the Barcelona staff, and convince the club to trigger the option that would turn this temporary stay into a long-term future at Barcelona.
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