Striker Rey Manaj has signed from Barcelona and joined up the first-team squad at London Colney.

It isn’t a free transfer although the fee remains undisclosed, and the three-year deal includes a significant sell-on percentage for Barcelona, larger than the 20% which has been reported.

The 25-year-old Albanian international is said to be a line leader in the style of a Heidar Helguson or Troy Deeney – not giant heightwise, but combative and able to look after himself.

It was a deal that seemed extremely unlikely last week – indeed when I enquired about him, the message I got back was it was a “load of rubbish”.

However, the club were keen to try and complete the deal under the radar and when leaks appeared, they didn’t want Barcelona to think it had come from them.

“Football does move very fast, and we acted as quickly as we could,” said chairman Scott Duxbury.

“As with anything, rumours start. We wanted to distance ourselves from them, particularly as we were acutely aware other clubs in Europe were interested in the player and we didn’t want to make Barcelona feel we were jumping the gun.

“However, we are very pleased to complete the deal for a player who fits the type and style of striker that Rob wanted.”

Born in Albania, Manaj moved to Italy with his parents as a child, and started his professional career with Cremonese. He then joined Inter Milan, but with opportunities limited he gained game time on loan at Pescara, Pisa and Granada.

He made a permanent switch to Spain in 2018, signing for Segunda Division side Albacete. His form there secured a move to Barcelona B, and 16 goals in 31 appearances led him to the first team squad in 2021, though he didn’t make an appearance.

Manaj spent last season on loan at Spezia in Serie A and still had a season left on his contract with Barcelona.

The striker has been capped 31 times by Albania, and scored seven times.