Barcelona have agreed a loan deal with LDU Quito for 18-year-old Ecuadorian left-back Josué Caicedo, with an option to buy that will become mandatory upon the player making his fourth appearance for the senior team, according to reports from Barca Blaugranes.
The deal includes a four-year contract for Caicedo and a 20% sell-on clause for LDU Quito. Fabrizio Romano confirmed the agreement prior to the finalisation of paperwork, while Ecuadorian outlet El Comercio notes this marks the first direct transfer of a player from an Ecuadorian club into Barcelona’s system.
The structure of the deal is designed to almost guarantee a permanent transfer, with Barcelona only needing to trigger the €2.5 million obligation by giving Caicedo playing time. While some reports outside of Spain cite a five-appearance trigger, all sources agree the obligation is tied to appearances rather than a specific fee or timeframe. Ecuadorian media place the total valuation at USD 2.6 million, aligning with the reported €2.5 million fee.
LDU Quito will benefit from a 20% sell-on clause, providing a future financial stake should Barcelona profit from a subsequent sale of Caicedo. This is a standard practice for clubs releasing promising academy products, ensuring continued benefit from the player’s development.
Caicedo, who can also play as a wingback or winger, progressed through LDU Quito’s youth system, making his top-flight debut in 2026. Barcelona scouts identified him during the U20 Copa Libertadores. He is not expected to immediately challenge for a first-team spot and will likely feature for Barça Atlètic in Segunda RFEF under Juliano Belletti.
This signing aligns with Barcelona’s current transfer strategy of acquiring young international prospects on loan-to-buy deals with appearance-based triggers, allowing them to develop within the B team while mitigating financial risk. The recent signing of Hamza Abdelkarim reflects this approach. This strategy is particularly important given Barcelona’s current financial constraints and the need to generate funds for other targets.
For LDU Quito, the deal represents a significant milestone, establishing a pathway for Ecuadorian talent into a top European club. The sell-on clause further incentivizes Caicedo’s success, potentially yielding a substantial return on investment.
