The increasingly likely arrival of Dani Olmo to FC Barcelona will not only add a quality boost to the Blaugrana's attacking line, but will also grow an exclusive group that currently consists of only six members. The Terrassa native will join this select list that includes Gerard Piqué, Cesc Fàbregas, Jordi Alba, Adama Traoré, Héctor Bellerín, and Eric García. These players, products of La Masia, couldn't make it at the first team initially and had to seek opportunities elsewhere, only to eventually don the blue and garnet jersey.
It's worth remembering that the man from Terrassa was part of Barcelona's youth academy between 2008 and 2014. At the age of 16, he decided to take on a new challenge by joining Dinamo Zagreb. This move, which seemed risky at the time, turned out to be very positive for his career. With the Balkan side, he made his debut in the top flight at 17, marking the start of a brilliant spell in Croatian football. During this journey, Spain's 'number 10' stood out as a versatile offensive player, being named the Best Young Player in the Croatian League in 2018 and the league's MVP in 2019. In 2020, he ended his spell with the Balkan outfit, accumulating 124 appearances, 34 goals, and 28 assists.
Subsequently, his move to RB Leipzig from the 2019/20 season onwards gave him more visibility and helped establish him as an emerging star. At the German club, he played 148 matches, scored 29 goals, and provided 30 assists, becoming one of the Bundesliga's standout performers. These displays caught the attention of FC Barcelona, who will bring him in with a significant star status, Euro winner and eager to succeed in this second chance that his Barça career offers.
The list of six FC Barcelona 'repatriates' that Dani Olmo would join
| PLAYER | WHEN DID THEY LEAVE FC BARCELONA? | WHERE DID THEY GO? | WHEN DID THEY RETURN TO FC BARCELONA? | HOW DID THEY FARE IN THEIR CULE ADVENTURE? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerard Piqué | Season 2004/05 (17 years old) | Manchester United | Season 2008/09 (transferred for €5M) | Retired at the club in the 2022/23 season. Accumulated 30 trophies, 616 appearances, 53 goals, and 13 assists. |
| Cesc Fàbregas | Season 2003/04 (16 years old) | Arsenal | Season 2011/12 (transferred for €34M plus €6M in bonuses) | Moved to Chelsea in the 2014/15 season for around €33M. Accumulated six titles, 151 appearances, 42 goals, and 50 assists. |
| Jordi Alba | Season 2005/06 (16 years old) | UE Cornellà | Season 2012/13 (€14M release clause) | Left for Inter Miami in the 2023/24 season as a free agent. Accumulated 18 titles, 458 games, 27 goals, and 99 assists. |
| Adama Traoré | Season 2015/16 (19 years old) | Aston Villa | Season 2021/22 (loan) | His loan was not renewed, so he had to return to Wolverhampton in the 2021/22 season. Only managed 11 appearances and two assists. |
| Héctor Bellerín | Season 2011/12 (16 years old) | Arsenal | Season 2022/23 (free transfer) | Left in the 2022/23 season to Sporting CP after they paid €1M to the club. Only managed seven appearances. |
| Eric García | Season 2017/18 (16 years old) | Manchester City | Season 2021/22 (free transfer) | Still under contract with the team (until 2026). Accumulated a total of 70 appearances, one goal, and one assist. Spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Girona. |