He was smiling when international clearance finally arrived for 16-year-old Joan Angel Roman Olle who becomes the first player from Spain to sign for City at Academy level but not so happy at lunch time after the under 18s lost their first league game in more than a season when they went down 1-0 to Crystal Palace.
Joan, who is an attacking midfielder and plays on the right hand side, has already represented his country at junior level scoring against the Republic of Ireland in an international tournament this year. He will be eligible for the squad next week.
Highly thought of by Espanyol, Joan was captain of their youth team and would have moved up to the U19 squad this season if he’d still been in Barcelona.
The youngster was part of the Catalunya U16 team that won the Spanish Regional Championships last season and also was voted Player of the Tournament at the Mediterranean International Cup in April as Espanyol beat Valencia in the final to lift the trophy.
This morning’s match was won by a long distance thunderbolt midway through the first half and then some heroic defending by a well organised Palace side.
