Liverpool have completed the signing of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, with the France international arriving at Anfield after three trophy-laden seasons in the French capital.
The 23-year-old has signed a long-term contract with Liverpool following his move from PSG, bringing a wealth of Champions League experience and an impressive record of goals, assists and attacking contributions with him.
Barcola has already experienced the intensity of Anfield as an opponent.
Now, the French forward will be looking to make the famous stadium his home.
The new Liverpool signing arrives with a reputation for blistering pace, intelligent movement and technical ability, while his versatility means he can operate across the frontline.
With Barcola now officially a Liverpool player, here is everything you need to know about the Reds’ latest attacking addition.
From Lyon academy to Liverpool
Barcola’s rise began at Olympique Lyonnais, where he progressed through the club’s academy before making his senior debut in November 2021.
He went on to make 47 appearances for Lyon, scoring seven goals and registering 11 assists.
His performances earned him a move to PSG in August 2023, where his development accelerated significantly.
Across three seasons in Paris, Barcola made 152 appearances, scoring 39 goals and providing 35 assists.
His most productive campaign came in the 24/25 season, when he recorded 21 goals and 18 assists.
That gave him 39 goal involvements for the season, a figure bettered by only eight players across Europe’s top five leagues, according to Liverpool’s factfile on the forward.
Barcola also leaves PSG as a two-time Champions League winner.
He helped the club lift the trophy in both of his final two seasons, including providing an assist in the 2025 final as PSG claimed their first European title.
His trophy cabinet also includes three Ligue 1 titles, three Trophée des Champions, two Coupe de France trophies, two UEFA Super Cups and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
For Liverpool, that means Barcola arrives with considerable experience despite his age.
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Why Liverpool wanted Barcola
Barcola’s biggest weapon is obvious: his speed.
He reached a top speed of 36.7 km/h in the Champions League during the 25/26 season, making him the joint fifth-fastest player recorded in the competition.
Former PSG teammate Hugo Ekitike simply described him as “crazy fast.”
But there is considerably more to Barcola’s game than his acceleration.
The forward is predominantly a left winger, although he is capable of playing on the right or through the middle.
That versatility gives Liverpool another player capable of changing the dynamic of their attack depending on the opposition.
Barcola is particularly effective when carrying the ball towards goal.
During the 25/26 season, he averaged 0.9 chance-creating carries and 1.6 shot-ending carries per 90 minutes for PSG, both the highest figures recorded by a player at the club.
He also created 72 open-play chances, again the most of any PSG player.
Those numbers demonstrate why Barcola is capable of being more than a traditional winger.
He can carry the ball through defensive lines, create opportunities for teammates and finish attacks himself.
Barcola has earned rave reviews
The Frenchman’s qualities have earned plenty of praise from those who have worked alongside him.
Former France head coach Didier Deschamps highlighted Barcola’s ability to eliminate opponents through his dribbling and pace, while also pointing to his ability to score goals.
Ousmane Dembélé, meanwhile, praised his former PSG and France team-mate’s ability to score, dribble and provide assists.
Barcola’s intelligence has also been repeatedly highlighted.
Former France international Olivier Giroud described him as shy away from the pitch but very intelligent, while noting that he had already shown confidence in his abilities during his early training sessions.
Former Lyon academy figures Jean-François Vulliez and Pierre Sage also highlighted his intelligent movement and his understanding of how to use his teammates to improve his own game.
His development has not been limited to attacking.
Barcola won possession in the final third 30 times for PSG last season, with only Vitinha managing more for the club.
That defensive contribution was something Luis Enrique specifically praised, with the former PSG boss highlighting Barcola’s defensive work, hunger and desire to continue improving.
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Anfield left a lasting impression
Liverpool’s home ground is not unfamiliar territory for Barcola.
The forward faced the Reds several times during his career, including three of the four Champions League knockout meetings between PSG and Liverpool across the past two seasons.
He was involved in Dembélé’s second goal at Anfield in April, providing the assist.
Barcola also faced Liverpool while representing Lyon, scoring against Jürgen Klopp’s side during the Dubai Super Cup in December 2022.
Those experiences gave him an opportunity to see first-hand what makes Anfield such a difficult place for visiting teams.
Now, he will experience the atmosphere from the other side.
In his first interview as a Liverpool player, Barcola admitted that the atmosphere had made a lasting impression on him.
Having played at Anfield twice, he remembered the passion of the supporters and the way they backed their team.
That was one of the attractions of the move.
When Liverpool’s interest became clear, Barcola said he did not have to think twice about the opportunity.
Ekitike was already waiting
Barcola will not be starting his Liverpool career completely alone.
One familiar face is already in the dressing room.
Hugo Ekitike, his former PSG teammate, was particularly keen to see the move completed.
Barcola revealed that Ekitike had been messaging him and waiting for confirmation that the transfer was going to happen.
“He was waiting for me to sign the contract,” Barcola explained.
The pair have already played together at club level and know each other from the French national set-up.
Barcola admitted that he was excited to reunite with Ekitike and play alongside him again.
That existing relationship could help the new signing settle into life on Merseyside as he adapts to a new league and a new club.
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Why Barcola wears No 29
Liverpool supporters will see Barcola wearing the No 29 shirt.
It is a number that has followed him throughout his professional career and has a personal story behind it.
As a child, Barcola played FIFA and became attached to the number through the game’s story mode and the character Alex Hunter.
He subsequently promised himself that if he became a professional footballer, he would wear No 29.
That promise eventually became reality at PSG.
Now, the number will continue with him at Liverpool.
Premier League title is the dream
Barcola has made it clear that he is not arriving at Liverpool simply to make up the numbers.
The forward has already set his sights on silverware.
Asked about his ambitions at the club, Barcola identified winning the Premier League as one of his biggest dreams.
He also made clear that he wants to stay at Liverpool for the long term, with his long-term contract reflecting his desire to build a future at Anfield.
His immediate priority, however, is getting onto the pitch.
Barcola explained that he had worked hard during the holidays to maintain his fitness and believes he is ready to contribute as quickly as possible.
Conversations with head coach Andoni Iraola also helped convince him that Liverpool was the right destination.
The manager told Barcola that his qualities could add something to the team and made clear that he was counting on the forward.
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Liverpool’s latest attacking weapon
Liverpool have secured a forward who combines experience with plenty of potential for further development.
Barcola arrives at Anfield as a Champions League winner, France international and proven contributor at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
His 39 goals and 35 assists in 152 appearances for PSG underline the attacking output he can provide, while his pace, dribbling and versatility give Liverpool another way of breaking down opponents.
Perhaps just as importantly, the people who have worked with Barcola believe there is still more to come.
He has been praised for his intelligence, movement, defensive work and willingness to improve, suggesting that his development did not stop after establishing himself at PSG.
Now, Barcola has the chance to take the next step in his career in the Premier League.
He knows what Anfield feels like when the crowd is against you.
Liverpool will now hope he can discover what it feels like when the stadium is behind him.
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Simon Wilkes