Riqui Puig joins LA Galaxy - Barça receive buyback clause and percentage of future transfer

The Los Angeles Galaxy have signed midfielder Riqui Puig from Barcelona. Both clubs confirmed the deal on Thursday. The 22-year-old former wunderkind has signed a contract until the end of the 2025 Major League Soccer season. Barcelona will only receive a nominal fee but will have a buyback clause of around €10 million and will receive 50% of any future transfer. With a market value of $7.7 million, Puig becomes the most valuable player in the Galaxy's squad and one of the most valuable players in MLS (overview). 

“We are pleased to welcome Riqui to the LA Galaxy,” LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney said in a club statement. “Riqui is a very technical and well-educated player with incredible experiences for his age. He will fit seamlessly into our group and style of play.” Added technical director Jovan Kirovski: “Riqui is a very talented player with a unique profile that brings something different to our squad."

Puig was once considered one of the brightest talents coming out of Barça's famous La Masia Academy. In 2020/21, the central midfielder broke into the first team and managed 14 appearances, and also featured in the Europa League. More games followed in 2021/22 but 474 minutes over 15 LaLiga games (one goal) were not satisfying for the talented no.6. With Barcelona restructuring their squad, Puig has looked for a way out and was given an escape route via Los Angeles. 

LA Galaxy sell Raveloson to Auxerre 

The Galaxy, in turn, made room earlier on Thursday for Puig by selling Rayan Raveloson to Ligue 1 side AJ Auxerre. According to The Athletic writer Paul Tenorio, the Galaxy received €1.75 million from the French club.