A Spanish club has officially signed a top Barcelona defender, completing the transfer and adding significant quality to their backline.
The Catalan giants have been actively fine-tuning their squad depth across all levels, making calculated decisions regarding young prospects whose contracts were nearing expiration.
While several standout starlets have earned opportunities to train alongside the senior squad during pre-season under Hansi Flick, the intense competition for places in the first-team setup meant that a departure became the most practical step for the defender’s long-term progression.
The talented youth product embarking on a new challenge is 21-year-old right-back Joan Anaya, who has officially departed Barça Atlètic to seal a move to UE Sant Andreu.
According to an official club announcement, Barcelona reached a complete agreement with the Spanish third-division side.
Crucially, the Blaugrana have safeguarded a financial stake in the player’s future development by retaining a percentage sell-on clause in any subsequent transfer.
Anaya spent nearly a decade developing inside Barcelona’s famed youth system, having originally joined La Masia back in 2015 from Reus Deportiu.
Progressing through the various age ranks, the energetic full-back built a strong reputation for combining solid defensive discipline with sharp attacking overlaps.
During his tenure with the reserve side, Barça Atlètic, he amassed 32 competitive appearances and registered four assists, while also earning call-ups to train with Flick’s senior squad earlier in the year.
With his contract originally set to run until 2027 and path to first-team minutes blocked, all parties agreed that a fresh stint in the Primera RFEF provided the ideal environment for Anaya to secure consistent senior football.
FC Barcelona formally expressed their gratitude to the young defender for his commitment and professionalism throughout his nine years at the club, wishing him full success in his next chapter with UE Sant Andreu.
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