Barcelona confirm first team promotion, new shirt number for Moussa Wagué

Good news for Moussa Wagué fans! After a productive season at Barça B, which included three starts for the first team in La Liga and a successful run to the final with Senegal in the African Cup of Nations, Wagué has been promoted to the first team on a permanent basis, Barcelona confirmed on Friday.

Wagué and his agents were promised a promotion after a season, and Ernesto Valverde quickly became a fan of the right-back during his starts against Huesca, Eibar and Celta Vigo at the end of last season and asked the club to keep their end of the bargain. Wagué has been giving the number 16 shirt, which was worn by Xavi and Sergio Busquets in the past. Yes, we are ignoring the last Barcelona right-back that wore 16.

With Wagué now part of the first team and Nélson Semedo not only staying but expected to be a full-time starter at right-back, it’s almost official now that Sergi Roberto will be moving to midfield this season. That should accelerate the sales of Ivan Rakitic and Philippe Coutinho and clear the logjam in the middle of the park.

Congrats, Moussa!