Barcelona have completed the signing of 19-year-old right-back Jose Luis Trapaga, who will join Gerard Lopez’s Barca B side next season.
Spanish publication Sport have reported that Jose Luis Trapaga has signed the dotted line at Barcelona. The 19-year-old right-back joins the Catalan club on a free transfer, having left Villarreal in June. He will play under Gerard Lopez for Barcelona B next season in the Segunda Division.
Jose Luis Trapaga is a product of the Villarreal academy that has produced gems like Santi Cazorla, Bruno Soriano and Mario Gaspar among others. The player progressed through the ranks at the club and played for their Juvenil A side last season.
His impressive performances saw Trapaga being rated among the most promising young players in the country, with many touting him for a bright future. A typically modern full-back, Trapaga is known for his immense work rate, and the ability to affect games on the attacking front.
Contento de ser nuevo jugador del @FCBarcelona. Un sueño hecho realidad. ?? pic.twitter.com/Uuxq7vAnuF
— Jose Luis Trápaga (@JoseLuisTrapaga) July 25, 2017
His time at Villarreal, though, came to an end last month as he left the club for pastures anew. And now, Barcelona have snapped him up on a free transfer. The 19-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Catalan club, with the option to extend the deal by another year.
Trapaga will join the Blaugrana’s second team, Barca B next season under Gerard Lopez as the side returns to the Segunda Division. The player is the seventh signing that Lopez has made for his side this summer after Vitinho, Choco Lozano, Inigo Galarreta, Jorge Cuenca, Mohamed Ezzarfani and Samu Araujo.
Trapaga is likely to be a good fit in Lopez’s system, complementing Barca B’s style of play with his composure and ability on the ball. However, he will face stiff competition for a place in the starting lineup, with Barcelona B captain Sergi Palencia being his direct rival.
Although, Palencia is also likely to be a regular member of the first-team setup as the understudy to Nelson Semedo in Ernesto Valverde’s side, meaning Trapaga could have the chance to play regularly for the B team.
It now remains to be seen if Trapaga can take the next leap in his career and fulfill his dream of playing for Barcelona by impressing for the Barca B side in the next few seasons.
