Barcelona have completed the signing of 16-year-old Louie Barry from West Bromwich Albion, the club have confirmed in a statement.
The teenager has netted seven goals in nine appearances for England’s Under-16 side and is said to be one of his nation’s highest rated players.
Born in Birmingham, Barry has dual English and Northern Irish nationality but previously represented Republic of Ireland’s youth teams before switching to England at Under-16 level.
As per FIFA regulations, the La Liga champions will have to pay a compensation fee of around €130k to the English club relating to development and coaching.
After ten years at West Brom, the forward had reportedly earned a number of spectacular offers this summer including from Paris Saint-Germain.
Barry is said to have gone as far as completing his medical in the French capital but eventually opted to join the Blaugrana.
According to Barca’s club media, Barry “plays primarily as a centre forward, although he can also play on the right wing, and he comes from West Bromwich Albion, his club since he was 6 years old.”
