Barcelona to loan Deulofeu to Everton for year

Spain's Gerard Deulofeu, right, celebrates scoring his side's 2nd goal with Spain's Jese, left, during the Under-20 World Cup. (AP/Gero Breloer)

BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona has agreed to loan talented forward Gerard Deulofeu to Premier League club Everton for one season.

The 19-year-old Deulofeu is widely considered to be the latest big prospect to come from Barcelona’s La Masia training academy, following such stars as Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta.

Deulofeu debuted with Barcelona’s first team in 2011 and scored 18 goals in 38 appearances for its youth team in Spain’s second division last season. He played for Spain in the Under-20 World Cup this month.

Deulofeu recently renewed his contract with Barcelona until 2017.

Everton’s new manager, Roberto Martinez, is from the same northeastern region of Catalonia in Spain.

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