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Barcelona starlet Gerard Deulofeu joins Everton on loan

By on July 10, 2013
One of Spain's best prodigies Gerard Deulofeu has joined Everton on a season-long loan

One of Spain’s best prodigies Gerard Deulofeu has joined Everton on a season-long loan

Everton have signed Barcelona prodigy Gerard Deulofeu on a season-long loan as Barcelona look to give one of Spain’s most promising talents top-flight experience. The 19-year-old played for Barcelona B last season, and signed a new contract until 2017 at the Catalan club after scoring 18 goals in 2012/13. Although the contract was formally a first team contract the arrival of Neymar made the Spaniard’s chances of being a regular starter for Barca

Many clubs were interested in the forward, but Barcelona didn’t want to lose one of the best La Masia graduates and allowed Deulofeu to go on loan to Everton. Manager Tito Villanova’s decision to loan the player to the English club was influenced by Roberto Martinez appointment at the Toffes as Barca trust the former Wigan Athletic manager to continue Deulofeu’s development.

Martinez spoke highly of Deufoleu, saying: “Gerard is a real diamond of Spanish football and a boy with incredible footballing talent and I am delighted that he has chosen to take the next step of his career with Everton.”

Although most comfortable as a forward, Deulofeu can play left wing and has superb vision, making him the perfect youth player that will almost certainly break into the Barcelona squad in the future. He has only made two senior appearances for the Blaugrana, but has played for Spain at the Under-17, U-18, U-19, U-20, and U-21 levels, also winning the 2011 European Under-19 Championships and being named best player if the 2012 tournament.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.