Barcelona complete controversial Martin Braithwaite transfer – which includes £250m buyout clause

The La Liga club have been given special dispensation to sign a striker out of the transfer window

(Getty)

Martin Braithwaite has completed his controversial £16m move to Barcelona from Leganes.

Barcelona were given permission to sign an emergency striker by La Liga and have activated Braithwaite’s release clause.

Braithwaite’s contract includes an unlikely £250m release clause.

However, relegation-threatened Leganes have been told by La Liga that they will be unable to sign an emergency forward of their own to replace their top scorer.

Braithwaite, 28, joined the Spanish side permanently last summer and has scored six goals in 19 league appearances this season.

He previously played in the Championship for Middlesbrough, managing nine goals in 40 appearances for the English club.