Leverkusen Snatches One of Barcelona's Gems
The young Andrea Natali, 16 years old and one of the most promising talents from La Masia in Barcelona, has left the Catalan team and signed with the German club Bayern Leverkusen, according to the current Bundesliga champions.
Natali, born in Milan, primarily plays as a central defender; however, he can also play as a pivot if needed, making him one of the most promising young talents for the future at La Masia. However, the Italian player was unable to reach a renewal agreement with Barcelona, leaving him as a free agent.
The central defender recently won the European Championship with Italy's U-17 national team, a tournament in which they defeated Portugal 3-0 in the final. Natali was one of the standout players in the Euro Championship held in Cyprus.
In a statement, Bayern Leverkusen announced that Natali had agreed to a 3-year contract with the club, valid until June 30, 2027. The Italian central defender will be available for Xabi Alonso to consider for the preseason.
Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen's sporting director, stated that this is a very important signing as "he has all the qualities to become a key factor for our future."
