Jose Caicedo joins Barcelona Atletic after month-long administrative wait

Barcelona Atletic have officially completed the signing of Ecuadorian left-back Jose Caicedo, ending a month of uncertainty caused by paperwork and administrative complications. The 18-year-old has signed for the Catalan club and immediately started training under manager Juliano Belletti at the Joan Gamper Sports City.

Caicedo arrived in Barcelona on Monday and wasted no time in linking up with his new team. He took part in his first training session on Tuesday before completing the formalities at the club’s training centre on Wednesday morning.

The signing was finalised in the presence of Jose Ramon Alexanko, Barcelona’s director of youth football. Caicedo then made his first appearance in a Barcelona shirt, marking the formal start of his spell with the club.

Barcelona had announced the agreement on 13 July, but the player remained in Ecuador while the necessary administrative procedures were completed. Those delays prevented him from joining Barcelona Atletic on the planned date of 20 July.

Caicedo moves to Barcelona Atletic on loan from Ecuadorian club LDU Quito. The agreement includes an option to buy for €2.5m, although that option could become mandatory if certain conditions are met.

The Catalan club see significant potential in the teenager, who is regarded as a modern full-back because of his physical strength, outstanding pace and willingness to contribute in attack. His footballing role and style have also led him to identify Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde as his main inspiration and role model.

The Ecuadorian could make his first Barcelona appearance within days. Barcelona Atletic are due to play a friendly against L’Hospitalet on Saturday evening at the Feixa Llarga, and Caicedo may be considered for a place in the team if Belletti believes he is ready to feature.

His availability will depend on the assessment of the Barcelona Atletic coaching staff after his first training sessions with the squad. However, the completion of the deal means the club can now begin integrating the young defender into its plans after the prolonged wait.

The move gives Caicedo the opportunity to continue his development in Barcelona’s reserve side, while the club will have time to evaluate him before deciding whether to activate the €2.5m purchase clause.