Sergi Samper to Granada: Latest Loan Details, Comments and Reaction

Barcelona midfielder Sergi Samper completed his move to Granada on a season-long loan on Friday.

Granada's official website noted the transfer had been finalised, landing a player they describe as "the pearl of La Masia."

Although Samper has long been tipped to be a big star at Barcelona, he temporarily leaves the club after failing to live up to his potential.

As a holding midfielder with elegant distribution and strong defensive instincts, it’s only natural he's been compared to Sergio Busquets. Here’s a glimpse into some of his best moments in the iconic Blaugrana jersey:

Given Busquets has shown so much consistency in terms of performance and fitness, Samper never had a prolonged run in the side. Even in the instances when the former missed matches, Javier Mascherano stepped into the holding-midfield berth.

So perhaps it’s no surprise that Samper, now 21 years old, has opted to take his chances away from the Camp Nou for the time being. Indeed, Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez didn’t think the player had enough to oust Busquets without changing his style:

Granada will surely seek to use Samper both at the base of the midfield and in a more advanced position. The youngster, as well as possessing the attributes to be the link between defence and attack, can also carry the ball well, meaning he could flourish as a box-to-box midfielder in the future.

Having been at Barcelona for his entire career, it will take Samper some time to adjust to life under new manager Paco Jemez, you’d suspect. After all, the Catalan club are unique in the way they develop youngsters and the manner in which they play football at all levels.

But in his appearances for Barcelona B and the scattering of outings for the first team, Samper showed a maturity to suggest he’s well capable of adapting to the challenges ahead.