'Croatian Messi' Halilovic to spend season with Gijon
Alen Halilovic is tipped for a bright future at Barcelona, but will spend the 2015-2016 season on loan at Sporting Gijon.
Barcelona confirmed it has loaned highly-rated teenager Alen Halilovic to La Liga rival Sporting Gijon for the 2015-2016 season.
Halilovic moved to Camp Nou in 2014 and is tipped for a bright future having become Croatia's youngest debutant at international level.
The 19 year-old played for Barcelona B throughout the 2014-15 campaign, but did feature for the first team in a Copa del Rey tie against Elche in January.
He was also used by Barca coach Luis Enrique in pre-season, but will now continue his development with Gijon, which gained promotion to La Liga last season.
Halilovic's debut for Gijon could come against Real Madrid when Rafael Benitez's side visits El Molinon in the opening round of Liga matches this weekend.