Bellerin leaves Barcelona for Sporting Lisbon

Sporting Lisbon have officially announced the signing of Hector Bellerin from Barcelona for the rest of the season.

The 27-year-old Spaniard ended his contract with Arsenal to join Barcelona only six months ago; he has now left Barcelona for Sporting Lisbon.

The Lisbon-based club announced in the late hours of Tuesday, January 31 that they have signed right-back Hector Bellerin from Barcelona for the rest of the season.

The announcement came shortly after the transfer deadline had passed; however, the transaction had already been completed and was awaiting official confirmation.

Sporting Lisbon signed Bellerin as cover at right-back, replacing Pedro Porro, whom they lost to Tottenham.

Bellerin only signed a one-year contract with Barcelona in the summer, and his contract was due to expire at the end of the season.

In a similar case to Real Betis and Ayoze Perez, Bellerin signs for six months with Sporting Lisbon and would have an opportunity to negotiate as a free agent in the summer.

Bellerin becomes the third player Barcelona have parted with in the past few months in a bid to stay on the right side of LaLiga margins. The retirement of Gerrard Pique and the sale of Memphis Depay to Atletico Madrid preceded Bellerin’s exit.

However, Barcelona are in the market for a right-back following Bellerin’s exit, who was the only natural right-back at the club.

The Blaugrana are reported to have reached an agreement with the LA Galaxy for the transfer of Julian Araujo, a 21-year-old Mexican right-back; however, problems are said to have developed in the deal as the documentation was not filed early enough to beat the transfer deadline.