Brighton & Hove Albion Sign Argentine Defender Valentin Barco from Boca Juniors
Brighton & Hove Albion have completed the signing of Valentin Barco, an Argentine defender, from Boca Juniors. The transfer fee for the 19-year-old player is reported to be $10 million (£7.86 million). The Athletic had previously reported that Barco was undergoing a medical before finalizing the move.
Barco, who is currently with the Argentina Under-23s at the CONMEBOL Olympic qualification tournament, had his medical at the national team training ground. He will not join Brighton until the conclusion of the tournament in early February. As a result, he is expected to miss several league games, including matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Luton, Crystal Palace, and the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Sheffield United.
Brighton’s technical director, David Weir, expressed his excitement about the signing, stating that they have been aware of Barco for a long time and have been impressed with his progress at both domestic and international levels. Weir also mentioned that Barco’s versatility in playing as a full-back, wing-back, winger, or across the midfield makes him an exciting prospect for the team.
Barco’s signing fulfills Brighton’s search for a full-back during this transfer window. The club’s interest in Barco dates back to last summer, and head coach Roberto De Zerbi had expressed his desire for “three or four” signings this month. Barco is Brighton’s first arrival in this transfer window.
Barco has made 35 senior appearances for Boca, scoring one goal and providing four assists. Brighton has had success in recruiting players from South America in recent years, including Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister. They are confident that Barco will thrive at the club under De Zerbi’s guidance.
For more information on Valentin Barco’s transfer to Brighton, including an in-depth analysis of his playing style and potential impact on the team, you can read The Athletic’s article.