La Liga giants Barcelona are ready to reward young defender Xavi Espart for his recent exploits, with the understanding that the 19-year-old will imminently be afforded a permanent place in the first-team squad.

Espart is fresh off an outing to remember this past weekend. Afforded a surprise starting berth in Barcelona's season opener against Elche, the teenager responded with a stellar performance while being asked to fill in in an unfamiliar left-back role.

Despite playing out of his natural position, Espart did not look at all out of place, proving stout in his defending and even contributing an assist at the other end of the pitch. That all-round excellence evidently did not go unappreciated by those in positions of power in Catalonia's capital.

According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, the club have now made their decision: 'FC Barcelona have decided to promote him to the first-team. After wearing number 36 in the first La Liga match last Sunday in Elche, Espart will now wear number 12 in La Liga.'

The promotion marks a significant milestone in the young defender's rapid rise through the Barcelona ranks, rewarding a breakthrough display with a permanent place in the senior squad and a new squad number befitting his elevated status.