Mexico international Julian Araujo made his long-awaited Barcelona debut in a 2-0 friendly win over Vissel Kobe in Tokyo on Tuesday as Andres Iniesta played his final game for the Japanese club.
Araujo, 21, joined Barca from LA Galaxy for a fee rising to €4 million earlier this year but has not been able to play competitively because the deal missed January’s registration deadline by 18 seconds.
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However, after four months training with the first team, he was able to make his first Barca appearance at the Japan National Stadium as first half goals from Franck Kessie and Eric Garcia downed Vissel Kobe.
Araujo, who has been capped six times by Mexico having previously represented the United States, played the first half at right-back and the second period on the left side of defence.
Sources have told ESPN that Barca plan for Araujo to continue with the first team in preseason when they tour the U.S, before a decision is made on how his development will be best-served next season.
