Barcelona’s academy has long been regarded as one of the most successful talent factories in world football, producing countless players who have gone on to establish themselves at the highest level.
Not every graduate, however, finds a pathway into the first team, particularly with competition for places becoming increasingly fierce under Hansi Flick.
The club have therefore continued balancing player development with long-term planning, ensuring they can still benefit financially from academy graduates who move elsewhere.
That strategy has been evident throughout the summer, with several younger players assessing their futures in search of regular senior football.
Barcelona have now confirmed, via their website, another departure from La Masia.
The Catalan club announced that defender Joan Anaya has completed a permanent transfer to Spanish third-tier side UE Sant Andreu.
As part of the agreement, Barcelona have protected their long-term interests by retaining a percentage of any future transfer involving the 21-year-old.
The club confirmed the deal in an official statement, saying, “FC Barcelona has reached an agreement with Sant Andreu for the transfer of Joan Anaya. The club retains a percentage of any future sale.”
Anaya first arrived at La Masia in 2015 after joining from Reus Deportiu and steadily progressed through Barcelona’s youth ranks over the past decade.
During his time with Barca Atletic, the defender made 32 appearances while contributing four assists, establishing himself as a dependable figure in the reserve side.
Although he never broke into Barcelona’s senior team, his performances did earn recognition from Hansi Flick, who invited him to train with the first-team squad earlier this year.
Despite being contracted until 2027, the club ultimately decided there was no clear pathway into the senior setup, making a permanent move the best solution for all parties.
While Anaya’s Barcelona chapter has come to an end, the sell-on clause means the club will continue watching his development closely as he begins the next stage of his career with Sant Andreu.
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