Valentin Barco was told how great a club Albion is by Alexis Mac Allister and Facundo Buonanotte before he joined us last month.
Alexis joined Albion in 2019 from Argentinos Juniors before departing in summer 2023 for Liverpool, while he had a loan spell with Valentin’s former club Boca Juniors.
Valentin said, “It is always great to have Argentinians or South Americans in the team as it helps you adapt quickly. I spoke to Alexis and he wished me the very best of luck here. I'm very happy.
“Facundo told me it was an amazing club with a lot of young players and that the manager is very good. I hope to adapt as quickly as possible so I’m able to play soon.”
It wasn’t only current and former players who played a role though, with the 19-year-old impressed by Albion’s approach.
“The club showed a lot of interest in me. It’s an amazing club and there are a lot of young players here and lots of South Americans too. That’s why I came here.
“I’m very happy that I have taken the step to come and play in the Premier League, the best league in the world. I’m very happy.”
The full-back believes he is now fulfilling a dream by playing in the Premier League, having spent his entire career with Boca in the Argentinian top tier.
“I was nine when I arrived at Boca and I was there for ten years. In the last few years I was playing for the first team. I was there for a long time and I am very grateful to the club and fans and very happy that I was able to make this step.
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“I didn’t watch it a lot, but the Premier League has always been the best in the world. Everyone there dreamed of playing in the Premier League.
“I have fulfilled that dream and I hope to adapt as quickly as possible.”