La Liga giants FC Barcelona have completed the signing of 18-year-old midfielder Jean-Yves Ballou Tabla who is a Canadian of Ivorian origin.
Tabla was recruited from Montreal Impact for a three-year deal with options for an additional two, including a release clause of €25 million, according the Major League Soccer club.
“This first transfer is an important moment in the history and evolution of our club,” Impact president Joey Saputo said.
“We take a lot of pride in seeing a young player, developed in our Academy, climb the ladder all the way to the first team and realise his dream to play in Europe with a big club like Barcelona.”
Tabla played 21 games in his first and only season at Montreal in 2016, scoring two goals.
He was voted best Canadian player in the U-20 category in the same year.
He expected to begin his Spanish adventure at Barcelona B.
