BARCELONA
Ballou Tabla: Barcelona sign Montreal Impact youngster
Ballou Tabla has become the first Montreal Impact academy product to be sold to Europe, with Barcelona snapping up the 18-year-old.
Barcelona have secured the signing of Canadian youngster Ballou Tabla from Montreal Impact on an initial three-year deal.
Ballou is said to have been tracked by Barça for several months after establishing himself as an emerging talent in Major League Soccer.
Montreal Impact's youngest ever player
The 18-year-old made 21 appearances in MLS last year, becoming the youngest player in Montreal's history and doing enough to catch the eye of Barça.
A right midfielder by trade, Ballou will join Barça's 'B' team in Spain's second tier, with the side occupying the final relegation spot in the table after 23 matches.
The Ivory Coast-born Canada Under-20 international has signed on for an initial three years with the option of another two.
25-million-euro release clause
His release clause is set at 25 million euros, but that will be increased to 75m should Barca take up the option of the two-year extension.