Barcelona land Mascherano replacement for €11.8m

Barcelona have officially confirmed the signing of Yerry Mina from Palmeiras in a reported 11.8 million euros deal with a buy-out clause of 100 million euros.

The Colombian defender has put pen to paper on a five and half year contract that runs until 2023 and he is set to take the place of Javier Mascherano who is expected to leave for China.

The Catalans in a statement wrote: “FC Barcelona and Palmeiras have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Yerry Mina for the remainder of the season and five more until June 30, 2023. The cost of the transfer is 11.8 million euros and the termination clause is 100 million.

“We will shortly inform you of the agenda and the presentation time of the player.”

Born September 23, 1994 (Guachené, Caucas, Colòmbia), Yerry Mina arrives at FC Barcelona to reinforce the central defensive positions. He will bring a physical presence as his 1.95 metre frame suggests but he is also a quick, ball-playing defender. The Colombian, who is joining from Palmeiras, uses his aerial prowess to impose himself and score goals.

In fact, in his 49 games for the Brazilian side, Mina has scored nine goals. He has also scored another three with the Colombian national team with whom he has now made nine appearances since his debut on 8 June 2016.

Yerry Mina’s sporting career started in his hometown of Guachené, where he played as a midfielder. It was not until the age of 19, when he signed for Deportivo Pasto de Flabio Torres, when he moved back into central defence. He continued in this position following his move to Independiente de Santa Fe, where he established himself as one of South America’s most promising players in the position before securing a move to Palmeiras in 2016.

Despite his youth, he has shown his ability. In fact, in his first season with the Brazilian team he was chosen as the best centre back of the Campeonato Paulista in 2017. He has won a Torneo Finalización (2014), a Colombian Superliga (2015) and a Copa Sudamericana (2015), with Santa Fe, as well as a Serie A with Palmeiras (2016).

Yerry Mina arrives Barca with the opportunity to continue developing as a footballer following his move to Europe. Without a doubt the Colombian has the potential to make it.