Spanish side CF Badalona have confirmed the capture of striker Adrian Balboa from Leeds United this summer.
The club, who play in Segunda Division B – Spain’s third division – revealed the done deal, with a picture of Balboa wearing his new side’s shirt, via their official Twitter account, with the 20-year-old having made the move just a year arriving at Elland Road.
Translated, the Spanish outfit stated: “We have reached an agreement with Leeds United for the transfer of striker Adrian Balboa. Welcome!”
Hem arribat a un acord amb el Leeds United per la cessió del davanter Adrián Balboa. Benvingut! pic.twitter.com/Tzm1K75p3O
— CF Badalona SAD Oficial (@cfbadalona1903) July 26, 2018
The Spanish forward, who was born in Barcelona, did not make a single appearance for the first team with the Whites but did feature for their under-23 side, having put pen to paper on a deal until 2020.
Opinion
Balboa’s move to Leeds was one that slipped right under the radar and it looks as though his exit might be conducted in the same fashion. The Whites have built up a reputation for developing young talent into being ready for the first team, and how the club would have been wishing that Balboa could follow in the footsteps of some of his young compatriots. Last season showed that if a player is good enough, he is old enough, with the likes of Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Tom Pearce being handed regular game time by manager Paul Heckingbottom. Balboa obviously did not hit that level and for whatever reason, be it his talent or perhaps something more personal like homesickness, has made the move back to Spain. Still, fans are hardly going to lose any sleep over his exit, and considering he is heading to Spain’s third division, it does suggest he was lacking the cutting edge required to be a success.