Ansu Fati Completes Move To Brighton From Barcelona

Brighton have completed the signing of FC Barcelona and Spanish midfielder Ansu Fati on transfer deadline day, September 1.

The Bissau-Guinean-born footballer who represents Spain’s national team at the international level, signed a one-season long contract with Brighton.

Ansu Fati fell down the pecking order and had to be included among the players who needed to leave FC Barcelona this summy to make room on their squad to bring in Joao Cancelo on loan from Manchester City.

There is no buy-out provision in the contract between Brighton and FC Barcelona for the 20-year-old midfielder.

Brighton, who qualified for the Europa League and will play AEK Athens, Ajax, and Marseille in the group stage, won Ansu Fati’s heart over other bigger suitors.

Tottenham were also interested in Fati, but it’s thought that Brighton’s style of play under manager Roberto de Zerbi convinced him to sign with them.

Based on the contract he signed with FC Barcelona in 2021, Ansu Fati still has until 2027 before his permanent deal with the Spanish side expires and it includes a 1 billion euro buyout clause.

After Brighton completed his loan deal, the club’s coach, De Zerbi said: “This is a great deal for all of us. I am sure Ansu will help us to reach a new target and we can help him get back to the level he deserves to be.”

The club’s technical director David Weir added: “He is one of the most highly-rated young players in the world and arrives with an impressive amount of experience both domestically and in European competition, despite his age.

“This season is the biggest in the club’s history and we’re really happy that a player of Ansu’s quality is going to be part of it.

“We will allow him to embed himself in the squad and to get used to working with Roberto, but naturally we’re excited to see him in a Brighton shirt.”