Barcelona Strike Gold on Deadline Day as Homegrown Star Seals Loan Move
Barcelona finalized their last remaining transfer departure of the summer window on the final day, with Héctor Fort being officially confirmed as an Elche signing.
The Catalan club struck a deal with Elche for a year-long loan arrangement that will allow the academy product to remain in La Liga and play the 2025–26 campaign with the recently promoted team.
"Barcelona and Elche Club de Fútbol have reached an agreement for the loan of the player Héctor Fort until 30 June 2026," the club confirmed in an official statement.
Mallorca were reportedly keen on acquiring Fort's services, but Elche managed to secure the transfer. Fort becomes the second Barcelona player to head to the Spanish coast within the past week, following Iñaki Peña who also joined Elche on a season-long loan arrangement.
Barcelona had hoped that Fort's exit might facilitate Roony Bardghji's squad registration, however, the club has subsequently registered their summer acquisition as a Barça Atlètic squad member.
Fort featured in 20 matches for Barcelona throughout Hansi Flick's inaugural campaign with the team. The 19-year-old fullback served primarily as Jules Koundé's understudy for most of the season. Fort had desired to stay with Barcelona for the 2025–26 campaign, but circumstances led to a change in direction.
Following Jules Koundé's late-season injury, Flick chose to utilize the adaptable Eric García in the right-back position instead of Fort. This pattern has persisted into the current season, with García starting in two of the opening three matches of 2025–26 covering Barcelona's right defensive flank. Fort simply wasn't part of Flick's tactical blueprint for the season.
Fort will now have the opportunity to secure consistent playing time with Elche and maintains the option of returning to Barcelona next summer. The 19-year-old defender holds a contract running through 2029, preserving his connection with his childhood club.
Prior to embarking on what promises to be a challenging battle against relegation with Elche, Fort is scheduled to represent Spain at the U–20 World Cup in late September.