Juanma confirms Liverpool permanent deal via social media post

Liverpool look to have completed their seventh summer signing after former Barcelona defender Juanma confirmed the move via his official Twitter account. The left-back had been on trial with the Reds since the end of July and even took part in a friendly game against Welsh Premier League side Rhyl FC.

Juanma — real name Juan Manuel Garcia Rey — had been part of the Barcelona youth setup for the last eight seasons, playing regularly for their second string side. He also represented the Catalans in the Uefa Youth League last season, following which he was released in the summer. The 19-year-old has now impressed the coaches at Liverpool's Melwood training base enough to earn himself a permanent contract with the Anfield outfit.

"Thanks Liverpool FC! YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE!!" the former Barcelona left-back wrote on his official Twitter account alongside a picture of him signing a contract.

The former Spain U17 international also thanked his former team for the last eight seasons, and confirmed his spell with the Catalan giants had come to an end following his confirmation as a permanent member of the Liverpool squad.

"I have ended my time at FC Barcelona. Thank you for these 8 seasons! Life goes on and I also ... Thanks!" he added on his official Twitter account.

He is expected to join up with Michael Beale's U23 squad for the upcoming season rather than Jurgen Klopp's first-team despite the German coach's need for a new defender. The Reds' reserve team manager had praised the defender's performance following his appearance against Rhyl FC and hinted that the club were likely to extend his stay beyond the 10-day trial period.

"Juanma is a boy who's come in to spend the week with us with a view to maybe seeing more of him. He's only had a couple of days training with us, speaks very little English but you can see a very good player," he told the Liverpool Echo.