Barcelona have confirmed that attacking midfielder Rafinha has joined Celta Vigo on a season-long loan deal.
The Brazilian, who is the younger brother of Bayern Munich new-boy Thiago Alcântara, extended his contract with the Blaugrana until 2016 last month.
And now he will be given the opportunity to gain some valuable first-team experience in La Liga, with Barca confirming the deal on their official website, as reported by Goal.com.
“FC Barcelona and Celta have agreed to terms for the player Rafael Alcântara, who will join the Celestes for the 2013/14 season on loan," a statement read.
“Before the midfielder signed his new contract he showed his disposition to join another Liga team on loan in the hopes of enjoying more playing time in Spain"s top flight.
“At Celta, Rafinha will join up with former team-mates Fontas and Nolito.
“The midfielder, 20 years old, was one of Eusebio [Sacristan]"s go-to men throughout the 2012-13 season, where he played a total of 36 matches in the league, 35 of which as a starter. He scored 10 goals for Barca B."
The 20-year-old previously hinted via his official Twitter account that his next destination was Vigo, where his mother comes from.
“Mum and Celta fans, I’m returning home…," posted Rafinha on the social networking site last Thursday.
Rafinha, who has represented both Spain and Brazil at youth level, has been part of the Camp Nou set-up since the age of 13.
