Barcelona youngster Gavi signed a new contract until 2026 in front of thousands of fans at Camp Nou on Thursday, with club president Joan Laporta hailing it an “historic day”. The midfielder, already a key player for his club at 18 years old and a regular with Luis Enrique’s Spain, has a one billion euro release clause. “Today is an historic day,” said Laporta. “With Gavi we are renewing the present, the immediate present, and the future of Barca.” Academy product Gavi, who has started every Barcelona game this season, became Spain’s youngest goalscorer in June 2022, at 17 years and 304 days old. “I try to take things as naturally as possible,” said Gavi. “La Masia helped me a lot in that regard, as well as the team and the staff. “I am very grateful to the chefs and the tutors (at the academy). Since I was small they showed me how to work and to be humble.” Gavi after signing new contract with Barça: “I’m very happy here, so it’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was young”. 🔵🔴 #FCB“My family, my agent and I are always clear that we want to succeed here at Barcelona”. pic.twitter.com/p9UvZRdkDf— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 15, 2022 The 18-year-old’s existing deal was set to expire at the end of the 2022-23 season.Gavi has become a key player for the club after breaking through in August 2021, shortly before being given his Spain debut by Luis Enrique in October 2021, becoming his country’s youngest ever player at senior level.Gavi scored against the Czech Republic in June 2022 to become Spain’s youngest ever goalscorer, taking the record from his club team-mate Ansu Fati.Both players, along with Pedri, Ronald Araujo and Ferran Torres have the same one billion euro release clause written into their Barcelona deals, the joint most expensive in world football.##NAJAVA_MECA_6643548##Talks over Gavi’s renewal had dragged on but Barcelona wanted to wait until he turned 18 to finalise the deal, so it could be longer than a three-year duration, while the club also had to work to clear space on their books due to La Liga’s stringent internal financial fair play rules. Gavi has 54 appearances for Barcelona and 10 caps for Spain so far.Ansu Fati, Gavi, Pedri and Araujo have all been given $1 Billion release clauses 💰Barcelona locking down their future 🔒 pic.twitter.com/WHGWmItyyi— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 14, 2022 © Agence France-Presse
