Everton sign Barcelona prodigy Deulofeu on season-long loan

Posted Thursday, July 11, 2013 by theguardian.com

• 19-year-old forward keen to play under Roberto Martínez
• Scored 18 goals last season in Spanish second division

Everton have signed one of Spain's most exciting young talents, securing Barcelona's Gerard Deulofeu on loan.

The 19-year-old, who is a Spain international at under-21 level, will join Everton for the season as Roberto Martínez looks to bring a different approach to Everton.

Martínez's arrival at Goodison Park was instrumental bringing the loan to fruitition. Barcelona trust in Martínez to continue Deulofeu's development and provide him with valuable first-team experience, while they are optimistic that a year in England will see him mature swiftly.

Martínez' said: "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."

Last season Deulofeu was the key creative player in Barcelona's B team, which competes in Spain's second division. He scored 18 goals in 2012-13, the fourth highest total in the division, and signed a new contract in May that runs until 2017.

Although that was formally a first-team contract, he has made only two senior appearances and the arrival of Neymar at the club limited his opportunities in the coming season. But Barcelona are determined not to lose a player considered to be the most talented currently in the club's youth system.

A creative forward of vision, technique and flair who can play off the front or coming in from the left hand side, Deulofeu has represented Spain at U16, U17, U19, and U21 level, where he has three goals in seven games. He was European champion at U19 level in 2011 and 2012 and was named the tournament's best player in 2012.