MADRID, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona on Thursday confirmed the signing of Colombian central defender Yerry Mina from Brazilian side Palmeiras in a deal worth just under 12 million euros.
The 23-year-old has agreed a deal until the end of June 2023 and has a buyout clause of 100 million euros, according to the official Barcelona website.
The 1.95-meter defender has a good record of scoring goals and will add height and power to the Barcelona defense. Although he has only spent a season in Brazil Minas, he netted eight goals in 33 appearances for Palmeiras and was named as the best central defender in the Brazilian league.
Mina is Barca's second signing this January with his arrival following the 160 million euros purchase of former Liverpool attacking midfielder Phillipe Countinho.
He will join Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen to give more options to Barca coach Ernesto Valverde, while his arrival could open the door for veteran defender Javier Mascherano to leave the club before the end of the transfer window.
The 33-year-old wants game time ahead of this summer's World Cup finals and is being heavily linked with a possible move to China.
