FC Barcelona have confirmed the arrival of the Brazilian prodigy Vitor Roque in an official announcement on Wednesday.
The 18-year-old will sign a seven-year deal with the Spanish club, who will pay an initial €30m to Athletico Paranaense, and €31m being available in bonuses to the Brazilian side.
“The player is expected to join the Club for the 2024/25 season and will sign a contract until the 2030/31 season with a buy out clause of 500 million euros,” quoted by Barcelona’s official website.
Roque is one of the brightest prospects of Brazilian football in recent years who is already playing and performing at the highest level and has already scored 22 goals with 9 assists provided to his teammates.
He is a regular starter for the Brazilian club and has 5 goals and 3 assists in 13 Copa Libertadores appearances.
Roque, 18, is a versatile footballer who can play in a number of positions. Despite being a natural striker, the Brazilian can play as a winger should the situation require.
He will join the Catalan club next season and will develop under the leadership of Polish striker Robert Lewandowski and is considered Barca’s next number nine.
Barcelona have already completed the signings of Inigo Martinez and treble-winning captain of Manchester City Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer.
The 32-year-old midfielder signed an initial two-year deal with a €400m buyout clause and an option for a third year in the contract.
The German spent seven years at City and made 304 appearances across all competitions, which included 60 goals.
Ilkay joined City from Borussia Dortmund in July 2016 and went on to win five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, two Community Shields and the Champions League.
While Martinez signed a two-year deal with the Blaugrana club which will end on June 30, 2025.
The Spaniard joined Barca from Athletic Club where he spent five years leading the back-line of Los Leones.