Confirmed: Promising defender leaves Barcelona after five years for Royal Antwerp in a €3.5 million deal

Barcelona have sold promising defender Alvaro Cortes to Royal Antwerp in a €3.5 million deal after the player's five-year tenure with the Catalan club. The Belgian side secured the transfer agreement with Barcelona for Cortes, who will now join Royal Antwerp. The Catalan club has also protected its interests by retaining a percentage of any future sale involving Cortes.

Cortes joined Barcelona in 2021 from Real Zaragoza, initially playing in the youth system before moving on loan to CF Damm in the 2022/23 season. He returned to Barcelona in 2023, where he established himself in the reserve team and eventually made his senior debut in May 2024. Throughout his time at Barcelona, Cortes has shown his abilities as a centre-back, earning his place in the first team and even serving as captain of Julian Belletti's side in his final season with the club.