FC Barcelona have an exciting time coming ahead as 18-year-old Brazilian Vitor Roque is set to join the Catalan giants after completing his time at Atletico Paranaense. The striker was initially supposed to join before the 2024-25 season but is now eligible to join in January when the winter transfer window begins.
Barcelona have prepared an ironclad contract for Vitor Roque, making a statement that he is here to stay. Barca fans are waiting to welcome the wonderkid and would hope he follows the footsteps of his Brazilian compatriot Neymar Jr.
What is Vitor Roque’s FC Barcelona contract
FC Barcelona’s signing of Vitor Roque means that the club is focused on the future with serious intent. Vitor Roque, who plays as a number 9, is expected to take over the attacking lines from Pichichi winner Robert Lewandowski.
The Brazilian wonderkid was acquired by Barcelona for a €30m upfront transfer fee from Atletico Paranaense, with add-ons of a combined €31m, that could be triggered based on his performances, titles and his contention for the Ballon D’or.
Official: Vitor Roque joins Barça 🔵🔴
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 12, 2023
◉ Contract until season 2030/31.
◉ Release clause included: €500m.
◉ €30m fixed fee to Paranaense.
◉ €26m add ons performances, goals and titles related.
◉ €5m add ons if he makes Ballon d’Or top 3.
Vitor joins the club in 2024. pic.twitter.com/geFnkX3PsW
The 18-year-old joins on a seven-year deal, with six years fixed and one optional year. Barcelona have also put in a release clause of €500m for him, hoping to avoid another Neymar-like situation.
With this signing, Vitor Roque becomes the 17th player to join Barca directly from a Brazilian club, following the route of players like Neymar Jr. and Arthur Melo.
Vitor Roque says goodbye to the Athletico Paranaense fans in his final home match with the club ❤️
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 4, 2023
The 18-year-old forward is moving to Barcelona in January on a seven-year contract 👀 pic.twitter.com/f4KVwEVCps
He also made his full debut for Brazil in a match against Morocco in March, making him the youngest player to ever play for the Brazilian national team. He was just 18 years and 25 days old at the time, which was eight days younger than previous record holder Ronaldo Nazario.
Vitor Roque to join Barcelona in January
Vitor Roque’s signing can also be looked at as a reply to Real Madrid’s purchase of another Brazilian wonderkid Endrick and is even sweeter for the Blaugrana as Roque rejected Madrid to choose Barca.
Roque, however, was bought for the 2024-25 season, as Barca could not accommodate him in the wage bill for this season, but Gavi’s injury meant that there are few technicalities that could be bent to make the Brazilian eligible to play from January itself.
With the struggle to find goals and Lewandowski’s dip in form during an important period, Roque’s joining comes as a blessing for Barcelona, and they would hope their newest star in the making hits the ground running from his initial days.
Do you think Vitor Roque has the capacity to become the next Neymar for Barcelona? Let us know in the comments.
