MLS side Montreal Impact midfielder Ballou Tabla has signed for the Barcelona B side according to the club’s official website.

Ballou Tabla who is primarily a right-sided midfielder was born in the Ivory Coast but later moved to Canada and has made 7 appearances for the Canadian U-20 side.

The 18-year-old midfielder has signed with FC Barcelona B on an initial 3-year deal, with an optional 2-year extension.

He joined Montreal Impact in 2016 and played 24 times for the MLS outfit last season. He scored three goals and provided two assists during his 24 appearances.
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Chelsea had been scouting the attacking midfielder for quite a long time now and they would definitely feel that they have lost out on a potential superstar. Tabla was highly recommended by Blues legend Didier Drogba who himself had played for the Montreal Impact in the past.
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Montreal Impact president Joey Saputo said: “This first transfer is an important moment in the history and evolution of our club,”
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We take a lot of pride in seeing a young player, developed in our Academy, climb the ladder all the way to the first team and realize his dream to play in Europe with a big club like Barcelona.”

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Read: Chelsea’s biggest transfer target rejects a contract offer from the Blues.