FC Barcelona have made a new signing as reported by MARCA and various other outlets around Spain.
The La Liga champions are doubling down on a verbal agreement struck with LDU Quito in Ecuador last week to sign Josue Caceido on loan.
Caceido will spend at least a season in Catalonia, and there’s a buy-option of $2.85 million (€2.5 million) to obtain him permanently.
If Caceido progresses to Hansi Flick’s first team and makes four senior appearances, the clause will automatically be triggered and become an obligation.
In the case that Caceido becomes a permanent fixture at FC Barcelona, LDU Quito would retain a 20% stake in any future sale.
Caceido turned 18 last year, but he’ll not play in the Juvenil youth team in La Masia. Instead, he’s expected to star for Juliano Belletti’s Barca Atletic reserve outfit.
Amid turning 50, the scorer of the winning goal in the 2005/2006 Champions League final against Arsenal in Paris renewed his contract last week. He’ll man the Barca Atletic dugout for at least another year as a consequence.
Young stars at FC Barcelona always get the chance to impress Flick
As we’ve seen in previous years, though, young Barca Atletic and La Masia stars routinely get the chance to impress Flick in preseason training.
In the German’s last two summers, we’ve seen him call up names such as Marc Casado, Marc Bernal, Tommy Marques and Xavi Espart to his camp.
If Flick likes what he sees, these types of budding talents then remain part of the first team furniture and stay with the seniors for what in Caceido’s case would be the upcoming 2026/2027 campaign.
Of Ecuadorian origin, Caceido first caught the attention of Barca scouts during the last edition of the U-20 Copa Libertadores, which can be compared to the UEFA Youth League.
He is a full-back that usually operates on the left, and stands out for his speed and physical prowess while 1.83 meters tall.
Caceido is a typically offensive-minded left back from South America and attracted the interest of many European clubs.
Once more, however, FC Barcelona has beaten the rest of the pack to a young talent that will have sell-on value even if he doesn’t progress to the elite on Flick’s watch.