Cristiano Ronaldo officially signs Barcelona goalkeeper

Cristiano Ronaldo has spent much of his legendary career competing against Barcelona.

However, the Manchester United icon now has an unexpected transfer connection with the Catalan giants.

Ronaldo first established himself as a global superstar at Old Trafford after joining United from Sporting CP in 2003.

He scored 118 goals across 292 appearances during his first spell, winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League before collecting his first Ballon d’Or in 2008.

His move to Real Madrid a year later intensified his rivalry with Barcelona and Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo became Madrid’s all-time leading goalscorer while regularly facing the Catalan side in El Clasico.

He eventually returned to United in 2021, adding another 27 goals before departing midway through the following campaign.

United’s own goalkeeping department has undergone changes this summer.

Karl Darlow and Kit Margetson have both arrived to strengthen the options available across the club.

Ronaldo has now also been involved directly in a goalkeeper transfer.

Cristiano Ronaldo completes new signing from Barcelona

Barcelona have officially loaned out Aron Yaakobishvili to UD Almeria, with the agreement also including an option to buy.

Ronaldo acquired a 25 per cent stake in Almeria through his CR7 Sports Investments company earlier this year, making him a co-owner of the Spanish club.

The 20-year-old goalkeeper was born in Budapest and progressed through Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy after joining the club’s youth system in 2018.

Yaakobishvili later progressed to Barcelona Athletic and was also included in the senior team’s matchday squad before gaining regular professional experience elsewhere.

He spent the 2025/26 campaign on loan with FC Andorra, making 21 league appearances, and has also progressed through Hungary’s youth international system before earning senior recognition.

Almeria have now secured him for the new campaign, handing Ronaldo’s club a young goalkeeper developed by one of his greatest former rivals.