Como have officially completed the signing of defender Andres Cuenca from Barcelona, securing the 19-year-old centre-back on a long-term contract as they prepare for their first-ever Champions League campaign.
The Serie A side will pay an initial €500,000 for the Spain Under-19 international, with the deal including a percentage of any future sale fee. Cuenca has signed a contract running until June 2030.
Barcelona graduate with Champions League experience
Cuenca arrives fresh from helping Spain win the European Under-19 Championship. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Sporting Gijon after progressing through Barcelona’s famed youth academy.
Despite his age, the defender has already sampled senior football at Camp Nou, having made his first-team debut in the UEFA Champions League.
Fabregas welcomes ‘modern defender’
Como head coach Cesc Fabregas highlighted Cuenca’s technical attributes as a key factor in the move. “Andrés Cuenca is a young defender with great technical ability, energy and strength,” Fabregas told the club’s official website. “He has enjoyed an important journey through the Blaugrana youth academy system and made his first-team debut in the UEFA Champions League.”
Fabregas added: “A modern defender, he is comfortable in possession and confident on the ball. We believe he can develop significantly as part of our project, and we are delighted to welcome him to Como.”
The player expressed similar enthusiasm about joining the Italian club. “I’m really happy to be part of this club and I can’t wait to play my first match in this shirt,” Cuenca said. “My first impression has been very positive. Como is a beautiful city that has made a real impression on me, and everyone at the club has made me feel very welcome. I believe we’re in for a fantastic season and I’ll give my all every day to help the team achieve its goals.”
Squad reshuffle continues
The capture of Cuenca forms part of an ambitious recruitment drive by Como, who have also secured Cruzeiro left-back Kaiki, Getafe midfielder Luis Milla and Catanzaro’s Mattia Liberali ahead of their European debut.
Simultaneously, the club confirmed the departure of midfielder Yannik Engelhardt, who will join SC Freiburg in a €7m deal. The sale frees space in the squad as Fabregas continues to shape his roster for the challenges ahead.