Official! Barcelona defender makes unexpected move to Belgium

A new chapter outside Spain begins for Álvaro Cortés.

Details: FC Barcelona have officially announced an agreement with Belgian club Royal Antwerp FC for the permanent transfer of defender Álvaro Cortés. The Catalan club did not disclose the transfer fee or the length of the player's new contract. However, Barcelona confirmed an important condition of the operation: the Blaugrana will retain the right to receive a percentage of any future sale of the footballer.

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Cortés, who was born in Zaragoza in March 2005, joined Barcelona's academy structure in the summer of 2021 after arriving from the youth ranks of Real Zaragoza. The left-footed centre-back later spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan at CF Damm before returning to the Catalan club and establishing himself with Barça Atlètic.

The defender became one of the reserve team's leaders during the 2025/26 season. Barcelona's official website states that Cortés served as Barça Atlètic's first captain and made 27 league appearances, starting every one of them and scoring three goals. His performances also earned him opportunities with Hansi Flick's senior squad.

It is worth noting that Cortés made his competitive first-team debut for Barcelona on 13 May 2026, starting in central defence and playing the full match. According to Transfermarkt's valuation published on 8 June 2026, the Spanish centre-back was valued at €4 million.

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