Barcelona has signed 17-year-old midfielder Alen Halilovic from Dinamo Zagreb on a five-year contract.

Halilovic will initially join the Barcelona’s B team but is not expected to have to wait long for first team opportunities under the new manager, Luis Enrique. He has been compared to Lionel Messi and his countryman Luka Modric.

"This is a great day and I am very happy," Halilovic said at his unveiling on Monday. 

"I have always been a Barca fan and I know a lot about the club. I have been watching Barca B this season – they are a young team who play great football.

"I can speak a little Catalan. I’m very happy to have been given the chance to play at the biggest club in the world. Hello to all the Barca fans and Visca el Barca!"