Spanish giants Barcelona on Monday announced the signing of Japanese striker Hiroki Abe on a transfer from J-League first division side Kashima Antlers.

Abe signed a four-year deal after Barcelona paid 1.1 million euros (about 134 million yen) for the 20-year-old, and will start his career as a Barca B player on the Catalan club's reserve team in the Spanish third-tier.

His contract includes a 40 million euro buyout clause which would rise to 100 million euros if he is promoted to the first team.

Abe, who posted a photo of himself holding a Barcelona shirt on Instagram, made his senior international debut at the recent Copa America and is also a likely selection for Japan at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Last month, Barcelona's bitter rivals Real Madrid signed Japanese teenager Takefusa Kubo, nicknamed the "Japanese Messi," from FC Tokyo.


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