Veteran Spanish striker David Barral has made history, by becoming the first professional player to be transferred for a fee paid entirely in Bitcoin.
He has been acquired by DUX Internacional de Madrid also known as Inter Madrid a club in the third division of Spanish football, who have recently obtained new sponsors in the form of Criptal, a crypto currency trading platform.
The club has thanked Criptal for facilitating the deal.
DUX have been attracting headlines in Spain because they were acquired last year by current Real Madrid goalkeeper Thiebaut Courtois and a group of his friends.
The exact amount of the deal has not been confirmed.
However, it is seen aa the latest evidence of the growing acceptance of crypto-currencies as a means of payment.
Bitcoin recently topped US $40,000 a coin although it has since fallen back from those levels, in line with its recent history of sharp fluctuations in value. Once regarded with suspicion by many traditional investors because of its association with crime, it has become increasingly mainstream, with some even suggesting it may replace gold as a hedge against inflation.
However, this is not the first ever transfer to involve Bitcoin. In 2018, amateur Turkish side Harunstaspor garnered international headlines when they acquired the services of Omer Faruk Krolu in a deal partially paid in the digital currency. The 1,226 equivalent that they paid for him was partially finished by 0.0524 Bitcoin (385) whilst the balance was paid in Turkish lira.
It has not been revealed whether Barral has decided to take some, or all, of his payment in cryptocurrency.
Now 37, Barral began his career with Real Madrid, where he made 50 appearances for their B team, although he never broke them into the senior side. He then had spalls with the likes of Sporting Gijon, Levante, and Racing Santander.
