Antwerp have strengthened their defence with the signing of Spanish defender Alvaro Cortes. The 21-year-old youth international joins on a free transfer from FC Barcelona, signing a contract for the coming seasons.
The club confirmed the arrival of the right-back, who is seen as a talented addition for the future. Cortes is a product of the Real Zaragoza youth academy and moved to Barcelona's youth setup at the age of sixteen. He progressed through the ranks there, playing for Barcelona Athletic in recent seasons, the reserve team that competed in Spain's third and fourth tiers.
Alvaro Cortes made his official first-team debut for Barcelona last season. That came in a league match against Alaves, which ended in a 1-0 defeat. The young defender played the full ninety minutes. Three years ago, he also featured against Antwerp's Young Reds in a Youth League match.
This transfer fits Antwerp's strategy of attracting young, talented players with potential to develop. The technical staff have extensively scouted the player and see in him the qualities to become a mainstay in the long term. Cortes's arrival provides immediate more options in defence, a department that has come under pressure in recent weeks.
The reinforcement comes as Antwerp sit eleventh in the Jupiler Pro League with seven points from five matches. The team's recent form has been mixed with two wins, one draw, and two defeats in their last five league games. The most recent result was a 1-0 away loss to Standard Liege. The full standings can be followed online.
With ten goals scored and ten conceded, defensive balance is an area of focus. The addition of a new defender aims to address this. The team trails league leaders Gent by eight points, underlining the need for a more stable run.
The next fixture is an away match against third-placed Club Brugge on Saturday, 13 September. It represents a significant test for the refreshed squad. The full schedule of upcoming fixtures is available on the club website.
Cortes will join the squad immediately and is available for selection in the coming matches. His contract runs until the summer of 2029, giving the club a long-term perspective for the right-back position. The player group for the current season can be found on the squad page.
The technical staff expressed their satisfaction with the signing. "We have brought in a young, ambitious defender who fits the profile we were looking for perfectly," a club spokesperson said. "He has had an excellent youth education and is ready for the next step in his career."
