Ernesto Valverde believes new signing Jeison Murillo can play a key role in Barcelona’s 2018/19 season.

The Spanish giants have agreed a deal to take the Colombia international on loan, with an option to purchase the centre-back in the summer.

Ahead of the Blaugrana’s clash against Celta Vigo in La Liga, head coach Valverde spoke about the Catalan club’s latest signing.

The Spaniard maintained he wanted a centre-back who has experience in the league and won’t take long to fit in. Valverde further praised the qualities of the Columbian and believes that he can play a key role in the long season ahead.

“We are in a delicate moment with our centre-backs and, so far, we have managed it well, but we don’t know how it will go going forward,” Valverde explained in a press conference on Friday.

“We took into account the situation of the club and we wanted someone on loan who could play immediately and who knew the league well.

“Murillo met those requirements and he can help us in the short term so the club did a good job with his signing.

“Signings at this club need to be familiar with us as we’re continuing our fight for two major competitions soon and we couldn’t have brought along players who need to adapt.

“Murillo is a good player who can help us and be important for us so we will push forward and hope for the best.”