West Brom youngster Louie Barry has today completed his move to Spanish giants Barcelona as confirmed by the Birmingham Mail.
Barry had been with the Baggies since the age of six but has recently turned down the offer of a professional contract with his boyhood club.
The striker has joined the Catalan giants on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee which is thought to be around the £235,000 mark in compensation due to Barry’s age and with Barcelona being an overseas club.
The 16-year-old is one of the hottest, young prospects in the English game and Barcelona have confirmed that he will play for their Under 19’s squad next season.
PSG had also lodged an interest in Barry who underwent a medical with the French club before he changed his mind joined the Spanish champions instead.
Barry won the golden boot with three goals as he helped England Under-16s win Val-de-Marne, a Uefa tournament, last year. In addition he also scored two goals in four games as England Under-16s finished third at the Montaigu Tournament in France earlier this year.
He comes with international experience despite his age and will no doubt flourish in Spain to further enhance his growing reputation.
Although West Brom will understandably be disappointed and frustrated to lose one of their academy graduates who potentially has a huge future they will also see this as an opportunity in which Barry has been unable to turn down.
Should he continue his rapid rise he could soon find himself in the next few years playing alongside the ‘great’ Lionel Messi which would be an unbelievable feat for the youngster who hails from Birmingham.
