Barcelona youngster signs new contract before joining Celtic on loan

Celtic have announced the signing of Barcelona defender Alex Valle on a season-long loan.

The 20-year-old spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Levante, making 29 appearances for the team in the second tier of Spanish football, and he is now spending another season away from his parent club.

However, Barcelona have signed the youngster to a new contract until June 2026.

"FC Barcelona and defender Alex Valle have reached an agreement to extend the player's contract until 30 June 2026, with the option of two further seasons," read a club statement from Barcelona.

"At the same time, FC Barcelona have struck a deal with Celtic football club whereby the player will represent the latter this season until 30 June 2025. There is no purchase option."

💚🏟 @alexxv_5 #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/tAZaZDphc4

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 28, 2024

Valle signs new Barcelona deal before leaving on loan

Celtic head coach Brendan Rodgers has said that his club are "delighted" to have been able to win the race for Valle, as a number of other teams are said to have been in the mix.

"We're delighted to have landed Alex on this season-long loan as we continue to strengthen the squad for the season ahead," Rodgers told Celtic's official website. "His footballing style will complement our attacking play as well as giving us more options in our backline.

'Alex has been brought up in a real high-quality footballing environment learning all the good habits and skills associated with any top team. He is a player with some tremendous attributes.

"He has performed really well for Levante last season, been around Barcelona's first team this year already and he is a welcome and quality addition to our squad."

V A 1 1 E 🤩#CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/xowsrNUIh4

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 28, 2024

Valle "very excited" to join Celtic

Meanwhile, Valle added: "I'm very excited, it's a great opportunity to come to this historic club. They have given me a lot of confidence to come here, so I will try to do my best to return the confidence.

"I've heard a lot about the fans and and what we can experience in this stadium, so I'm just excited to see it in real life.

"The manager gave me a lot of confidence to come here. He told me that he has watched some games in Barca and Levante, so I'm really happy to be here and looking forward to training with the team.

"I would say this way of playing is the best for my style and for what I like. I've been learning it in the Barca academy, so I'm looking forward to playing."

Valle came through the youth system at Barcelona, and he has represented Barcelona B on 22 occasions but is yet to make his senior debut for his parent club.