Official: Barcelona tie down rising star until 2030

Barcelona announced on Thursday that Xavi Espart has signed a new contract. The Catalan side's promising talent is now committed to the club until June 30, 2030. The defender made his first-team debut last season and earned a permanent spot in Hansi Flick's squad over pre-season, starting in all of the opening five LaLiga fixtures.

Espart has become a key figure for Flick this season as a full-back on either flank, despite naturally being a midfielder. He has already registered one goal and two assists across five appearances.

The 19-year-old is also among the 25 Golden Boy finalists revealed last week, featured in the gallery below — comprising the top 20 from the Transfermarkt/Golden Boy ranking (effectively extending to 21st, as 2024 winner Lamine Yamal is ineligible despite still appearing in the index) plus five wildcards: Espart, Rodrigo Mora, Mastantuono, Gadou, and Kostoulas.