Brighton & Hove Albion have announced the signing of Argentinian Under-21 star Valentin Barco from Boca Juniors.
The 19-year-old, who can play at left-back or as a winger, has signed a four-and-half year deal and is Brighton's first acquisition of the January transfer window.
Introducing our latest @FootballManager wonderkid... 🤩💫 pic.twitter.com/Udg1iwefxO
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 20, 2024
“We have been aware of Valentin for a long time and have been impressed with the progress he has made at domestic and international level,” Brighton technical director David Weir said on the club's official website.
“We’re delighted to welcome him to the club, and we are looking forward to seeing how he progresses and develops under Roberto [De Zerbi].
“He has played predominantly on the left side, as a full-back, wing-back or winger, but also shown his versatility with Boca, playing across the midfield.
“He is an exciting prospect, but it’s also important we give him the time as he needs to settle and adapt to new surroundings and the Premier League.”
Valentin Barco joins Albion from Boca Juniors
Barco has made 35 appearances for Boca Juniors since breaking into their first team in 2021, and also featured in their 2-1 loss to Fluminense in the Copa Libertadores final last November.
He is widely regarded as one of the game's most exciting prospects and becomes the latest in a long line of players such as Pervis Estupinan, Igor Julio and Facundo Buonanotte to make the move from South America to Brighton.