Barcelona’s commitment to developing young talent was the decisive factor behind Belgian winger Jesse Bissio’s move to the club, according to his agent Mobendi Marthe.
Barcelona officially announced the signing of the 18-year-old in recent days, with Bissio agreeing a contract that runs until 30 June 2031. He becomes the fourth attacking addition to the squad this summer after Anthony Gordon, Hamza Abdelkarim and Karim Adeyemi.
Marthe said discussions with Barcelona made clear that the club had a serious plan for Bissio’s development and that its long-term sporting project stood out from the other options available.
“Barcelona presented us with a project that demonstrates the club’s commitment to developing young talents. The club’s commitment and its impressive record in developing talents are the best evidence of that,” Marthe told Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.
The agent said Bissio’s priority throughout the negotiations had been to assess each proposal carefully, with his longer-term future taking precedence over any individual factor.
“Throughout the process, Jesse’s priority was to ensure that every aspect of the different projects presented to him was carefully evaluated, with his long-term future placed first,” Marthe said.
He added that the decision had been based on finding the right conditions for Bissio to progress both professionally and personally.
“The decision was not based on one single factor, but on finding the best environment to support his development, both as a footballer and as a young man,” he said.
Marthe also expressed his gratitude to Belgian club Club Brugge, where Bissio made significant progress before securing his move to Barcelona.
“Jesse Bissio experienced remarkable development at Club Brugge. We are extremely grateful to the club and to everyone who contributed to his development over the past few years and helped him reach this stage of his football career,” he said.
Bissio is now focused on settling into life at Barcelona and demonstrating his commitment to his new club.
“He is now completely focused on working hard every day, integrating into the club in the best possible way and doing everything he can for Barcelona,” Marthe added.
The signing forms part of Barcelona’s renewed strategy of recruiting promising young players as the club looks to build a new generation capable of competing in domestic and European football in the years ahead.
The Catalan club’s approach was central to Bissio’s decision, with his representatives believing that Barcelona offered the most suitable platform for his continued progress. His deal, which runs for six years beyond the current campaign, reflects the club’s intention to invest in his development over the long term.
