FC Barcelona have followed in the footsteps of rivals Real Madrid by bolstering their ranks with the signing of a promising young attacker from Japan.
Read: Real Star: Messi Has Better Vision Than Ronaldo
On Monday, the club confirmed, via their official website, the signing of Hiroki Abe from Kashima Antlers for a fee of €1.1 million (R17 million).
The 20-year-old has signed on a four-year deal and will initially join up with the Barcelona B side. The club also included a release clause of €40 million (R624 million) in Abe's contact, which will rise to €100 million (R1.5 billion) when he breaks into the first team.
The Japanese wonderkid predominantly operates as a left winger but is able to play on either flank or in the middle of the park, and is highly rated after bursting on to the scene in recent years.
?????? [ÚLTIMA HORA] Hiroki Abe se incorpora al Barça. El delantero del Kashima Antlers, de 20 años y elegido mejor jugador joven de la J-League 2018, firma por cuatro temporadas.
— Barça Atlètic (@FCBarcelonaB) July 15, 2019
?? ¡Bienvenido al Barça Hiroki!#BarçaB #ForçaBarça???? pic.twitter.com/qA767Kf5H8
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Abe joined Kashima Antlers in 2017, and was named the J-League's Young Player of the Year the following season. He scored 10 goals in 79 appearances for the Japanes club, and was part of the Antlers side that won the 2018 AFC Champions League and played at the FIFA Club World Cup.
His form at club level earned him an international call-up, and he was part of the Japan squad that took part in the recent Copa America tournament in Brazil.
Read: Reports: Real Madrid Wonderkid Stuns Coaches In Training
Abe is the second Japanese player to join a LaLiga side in recent times after former Barcelona youth player Takefusa Kubo moved to rivals Los Blancos last month.
Do you think Abe will go on to be a success at Barcelona, or do you think he is perhaps another overhyped youngster? Share your thoughts by commenting below.
