FC Barcelona and UE Olot have signed a new collaboration agreement that strengthens ties between the two historic Catalan clubs, with a particular focus on youth development and the promotion of footballing talent across the region.
The agreement was formalized this Thursday morning at FC Barcelona’s offices, with club president Rafael Yuste representing the Blaugrana alongside José Ramón Alesanco, director of Youth Football and La Masia, and Josep Llorca, head of Football Management. UE Olot was represented by president Joan B. Agustí, sporting vice-president Jordi Masó, and sporting director Lluís Micaló.
The partnership reinforces the relationship between two institutions with deep roots in Catalan football, united by a shared philosophy that emphasizes youth development and the transmission of values through sport. For FC Barcelona, the agreement reflects the club’s ongoing commitment to working alongside regional clubs that play a fundamental role in identifying, supporting, and developing young footballers.
President Rafael Yuste commented: “This agreement expresses Barça’s willingness to continue standing alongside those clubs that carry out essential work in the development of young footballers and in the transmission of the values of sport. Both clubs share historic roots that have connected us since the time of Joan Gamper, founder of Barça and one of the driving forces behind Olot, and it is important to reinforce these bonds of collaboration.”
For UE Olot, the agreement represents both an honour and a strategic opportunity. President Joan B. Agustí stated: “For us, this is both an honour and a source of great excitement, because our origins are linked to Barça. We hope this agreement will help strengthen ties, promote a football model that supports local players, and reinforce the identity-based dimension of Barça’s ‘més que un club’ motto.”
The historical connection between the two clubs runs deep. Joan Gamper, the Swiss-born founder of FC Barcelona, was also one of the driving forces behind the establishment of football in Olot, a town in the Garrotxa region of Catalonia. This agreement revives and formalizes that century-old bond, putting in place a framework for ongoing collaboration in scouting, coaching, and player development.
For FC Barcelona fans and apparel enthusiasts, this partnership also carries symbolic weight. The iconic Blaugrana stripes represent more than just a football club — they stand for a wider network of Catalan football institutions working together to nurture homegrown talent. UE Olot’s own kit, featuring the club’s distinctive red and white colours, will now be linked to the Barcelona ecosystem in a more formal and collaborative capacity.
The agreement is expected to facilitate player exchanges, shared training methodologies, and closer cooperation between the two clubs’ youth academies. Young players from Olot’s academy structure will have clearer pathways to La Masia, while FC Barcelona can extend its scouting and development network deeper into the Garrotxa region.
This collaboration comes at a time when FC Barcelona continues to emphasize its youth-first philosophy, with La Masia graduates forming the backbone of the first team. Partnerships like the one with UE Olot ensure the pipeline of talent from across Catalonia remains strong, feeding into the club’s long-term sporting vision.
For supporters looking to show their connection to both clubs, the partnership opens possibilities for collaborative merchandise and co-branded apparel that celebrates the shared Catalan football identity. As the 2026-27 season approaches, fans can look forward to seeing the results of this strengthened collaboration in youth tournaments and development programmes across the region.