Mamadou Fall joins Barcelona on loan from MLS club Los Angeles FC

Barcelona confirmed the loan signing of Los Angeles FC defender Mamadou Fall on loan for the 2023-45 season with the Catalan club holding a purchase option for the player next Summer.

Fall will initially join Rafael Márquez’s Barça Atlètic team where he’ll play alongside Senegalese compatriot Mikayil Faye, who joined the team from the Croatian side Kustošija.

Fall was born in Rufisque, Senegal but moved to the United States to join the Montverde Academy under the guidance of Sport4Charity, an organization overseen by former Senegal international Salif Diao.

He signed for Los Angeles FC back in 2021 and went on to make 35 appearances, scoring 5 goals.

This will be his second stint in Spanish football, after spending the 2022-23 season on loan at Villareal, where he made 25 appearances with 3 goals for the B team. He did make his La Liga debut for Villareal last year, playing 29 minutes in a 1-0 with over Girona.

What type of player is Mamadou Fall?

Fall is an imposing physical presence at the back and plays with real strength on the ground and in the air. His ability in the air can be seen by the 8 goals he’s scored from his defensive positions, mostly in set-piece scenarios.

Although he’s predominantly a centre-back, he has seen significant time as a right-back. Last season at Villareal he played exclusively as a centre-back but he does have two appearances at right-back. With his strength and physicality being his calling card, it’s likely his long-term future will be in the middle.

The loan move will give the Barcelona management team to get a good look at Fall before having to decide whether to make the move permanent. Not only will they get a sense of who he is as a player, but also as a person, which is arguably just as important. Especially as Xavi has prioritised dressing room harmony since taking over at Barcelona.