Confirmed: Barcelona sign 16-year-old Portuguese talent after successful trial | OneFootball

Barcelona have officially completed the signing of 16-year-old Portuguese attacker Dany Freire after the youngster impressed during his trial period with the club’s youth setup.

Freire has now signed a three-year contract with Barça, bringing an end to several weeks as a trial player at La Masia. 

He completed the formalities alongside Jose Ramon Alexanco, the club’s director of Formative Football.

It must be remembered that Barcelona had already decided to pursue the youngster before his contract could be registered. 

The delay was linked to regulations surrounding the recruitment of foreign players under the age of 16.

“FC Barcelona has reached an agreement with player Dany Freire for his incorporation into the Club in the youth stage,” read the official statement from the club.

Dany Freire earns Barcelona contract after trial

Freire turned 16 on September 19, allowing Barcelona to formalise an agreement that had effectively been in the works for weeks.

The Portuguese attacker joined the club’s youth dynamics during the summer and was given opportunities to show what he could offer in friendly matches and tournaments.

He made an immediate impression in his first appearance for Juvenil B, scoring Barça’s only goal in a 2-1 defeat to Badalona on July 31.

That performance was part of a trial period in which Barcelona assessed his technical qualities and ability to adapt to the club’s footballing environment.

Dany Freire has signed a three-year contract with Barcelona. (Picture credit: Instagram/@dany_freire9)

With the club now able to complete the paperwork, Freire moves from being a trialist to an official member of Barcelona’s youth football structure.

Barcelona add another young attacking prospect

Freire’s international background also makes his development an interesting one to follow.

The attacker initially represented Luxembourg at youth level before switching allegiance to Portugal. He has represented Portugal Under-15s and has recently trained with the Under-17 setup.

His arrival continues Barcelona’s focus on identifying promising young players before they reach the senior game, with the club now having several years to develop Freire within its own system.

Now, Freire has secured his Barcelona contract and can focus entirely on establishing himself within the academy.