Carles Aleñá signs contract extension

FC Barcelona and midfielder Carles Aleñá came to an agreement Tuesday whereby the 19-year-old will extend his deal with the club for a further three years. The deal also calls for a two-year club option should Aleñá, who currently plays for the reserves, end up making the first team. The buyout clause has been set at €75m.

Club President Josep Maria Bartomeu was on hand for the signing, which took place at the Club’s offices at Camp Nou. Also in attendance were the Vice President of Sports, Jordi Mestre; the Director of Professional Youth Football, Silvio Elías; and the FC Barcelona CEO, Óscar Grau.

A lifelong Blaugrana

Aleñá’s extension means the Club can continue to count on one of their homegrown players. Aleñá was one of the key players for Barça B last season, helping the reserves gain promotion to the Second Division A. The youngster played 2,385 minutes in 29 league appearances for Barça B last season, including the playoffs, and scored three goals to go along with seven assists.

Aleñá, who began playing in the Barça youth academy, La Masia, at the age of seven, rose steadily through the lower categories and eventually made his first team debut under the orders of then-manager Luis Enrique on November 30th, 2016 at Hércules in the first leg of the Copa del Rey last 32. He also scored his first goal that day, giving Barça a 1–1 draw on the road.