OFFICIAL: Barcelona closes the signing of another African 'gem'

The FC Barcelona board officially announced on Tuesday the signing of Ibrahim Diarra. The club reached an agreement with the Africa Foot academy that allows the Blaugrana team to secure the services of the 'gem' from Mali for the next three and a half seasons, until June 2028. The 18-year-old player has shone with his national team in the last U-17 World Cup and will join the Barça Athletic squad starting January 1.

During the tournament held in Indonesia last year, the midfielder led Mali with 5 goals and 4 assists crucial for the Africans to reach third place, after falling in the 'semis' against France (2-1) and defeating Argentina in the bronze medal match (0-3). He is a player with a remarkable physique, but he also possesses, by no means, the technical quality to alternate between the right winger position and that of an interior/attacking midfielder.

Barça postpones the presentation of Ibrahim Diarra

Although the club officially announced the transfer, Diarra's presentation will have to wait a few more days, as the player will only travel to Catalonia after the New Year. With his signing, Barça Athletic will add an excellent reinforcement, as he is a versatile midfielder who can contribute significantly in attack for Albert Sánchez's team.

This season, the reserve team is currently twelfth in Group 1 of the Primera RFEF with 21 points after 17 matches played, 12 points behind the leader, Cultural Leonesa (33). Barça had been well on track with the signing of Ibrahim since the summer, a player who, in addition to having enormous potential, can also lend a hand to the first team in the future if Hansi Flick deems it appropriate. Furthermore, the club hopes to reap good financial dividends in the long term, as the cost of his transfer is barely around 1.7 million euros.