Real Sociedad sign Barcelona defender Hector Fort in permanent transfer

Real Sociedad have signed Barcelona right-back Hector Fort during the current summer transfer window, with the deal including protection for his former club’s future interests.

The transfer has been completed on a permanent basis, according to reports cited in Spain, but Barcelona have negotiated an option to buy Fort back at a later date. The Catalan club will also receive 50% of any future transfer fee if the defender is sold to another club.

Fort, 20, spent last season on loan at Elche, where he made 17 appearances. He scored three goals and provided two assists during his time with the club.

His move to Real Sociedad brings an end to his time as a Barcelona player, although the terms of the agreement leave open the possibility of a return to the club. Fort made 30 appearances in total for Barcelona’s first team and recorded three assists without scoring.

The right-back was present in the stands to watch his new side face Espanyol in La Liga. Real Sociedad won the match 2-1 in the third round of the league season.

Fort joins Real Sociedad after gaining first-team experience with both Barcelona and Elche. His campaign at Elche gave him regular competitive football, while his appearances for Barcelona included a total of 30 matches at senior level.

Under the agreement reported for his transfer, Barcelona retain two separate safeguards. The first is the option to bring Fort back to the club, while the second guarantees the club half of any fee generated by a future sale to another team.

Real Sociedad’s league victory over Espanyol was therefore the first match Fort attended as a player of the club, although he did not feature on the pitch. The match ended with Real Sociedad securing a 2-1 win in the third round of La Liga.

The transfer completes Fort’s move away from Barcelona following his loan spell at Elche last season. He leaves having scored three times and assisted twice in 17 appearances for Elche, in addition to his 30 first-team appearances for Barcelona, where he contributed three assists.