Barcelona defender completes deadline day move

Barcelona have announced the departure of right-back Hector Fort on a loan deal for the coming season, joining Elche in La Liga. The side from Alicante have no option to buy the 19-year-old.

Fort will have the opportunity to compete for minutes at Elche under former Barcelona assistant manager Eder Sarabia, whose side have enjoyed a strong start to their spell back in La Liga, taking five points from their opening three games, including draws with Real Betis and Atletico Madrid.

The teenage right-back was initially due to head to RCD Mallorca on loan, but with Pablo Maffeo not finalising a move away from Son Moix, Los Bermellones were unable to proceed with the move. West Ham United and Everton had also enquired about Fort in recent weeks.

It remains to be seen how Sarabia will use Fort, who joins Barcelona teammate Inaki Pena on loan at the Martinez Valero. Thus far, Elche have been playing with three at the back and wing-backs in their opening three games. Alvaro Nunez has been used on the right side for all three of those games, although Fort has played on the left at Barcelona too.

The 19-year-old will be desperate for game time this season, after a season of stagnation under Hansi Flick. In total, Fort made 20 appearances, which amounted to just 638 minutes and five starts. Three of those were following Jules Kounde being dropped for disciplinary issues, but when the Frenchman got injured, it was Eric Garcia that took his place.

Fort expressed his frustration publicly after a game against Celta Vigo when he did not get off the bench, which Flick then criticised him for in his next press conference.