Marcus Rashford has a new friend! Barcelona signing reveals close bond with 'laid back' English star after living next door in hotel

Barca summer signing Bardghji has revealed the player with whom he shares the closest bond in the dressing room. The 19-year-old said Rashford is the team-mate he developed an early friendship with and opened up on how the two got closer.    

Bardghji and Rashford are two of the three players Barcelona signed this season, along with goalkeeper Joan Garcia. The former Copenhagen sensation was signed for just €3 million on a deal until 2029. On the other hand, Rashford was signed on a season-long loan from Manchester United after the club failed in their pursuits of Nico Williams and Luiz Diaz. While the Englishman has featured in all three games for Barca this season, Bardghji is yet to make his debut for his new side.  

Speaking to Fotbollskanalen, the teenage attacker was asked to confirm reports from Spain that stated that his best mates are Marc Casado and Rashford. He said: "Yes, that's true, but I'm friends with everyone. It's a fantastic group. It's like a family - something I haven't felt before in other teams - where everyone is really close to each other. Many of them have grown up and played together since youth football. It's not really a group of friends that you're with all the time, but everyone is with everyone.

"But in the beginning there was a lot with Rashford because we were new. I had played against him before and we lived in the same hotel. We lived next door to each other in the hotel so it was automatic that you got closer to him." 

"Well, he's nice. Very laid back and calm person. Doesn't say much."

The Swede will be hoping to make his debut after the international break. His registration with the first team could not be completed before the deadline, with the youngster registered with Barca Atletic, the reserve team, instead. He will still be able to receive call-ups from head coach Hansi Flick, as it is expected that he will stay involved in the first-team dynamics.