Martin Braithwaite joked he won't wash his kit after setting up Lionel Messi's fourth goal in Barcelona's 5-0 win against Eibar on Saturday as he made an impressive start to life at Camp Nou.
Braithwaite, who signed for Barca from Leganes on Thursday for €18 million, was thrown on for the final 20 minutes and made an immediate impact.
The Danish international crossed for Messi to score Barca's fourth goal and was also involved in the fifth. His shot was saved by Marko Dmitrovic but Arthur Melo scored the rebound.
"Messi congratulated me [for the pass]," Braithwaite told reporters when asked what the Argentine said during their embrace after the goal. "He's a great guy. He tried to make me feel comfortable and looked to find me with his passes.
"I won't wash my kit after the hug he gave me [laughs]. Honestly, I am really happy to have been able to set him up for a goal."
Barca were given special dispensation by La Liga to sign Braithwaite this week as a replacement for Ousmane Dembele, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
The former Middlesbrough forward, who will only be allowed to play in league matches, not the Champions League, was given a warm welcome by the Barcelona supporters when he replaced Antoine Griezmann.
"The ovation was really special," Braithwaite added. "It's something that I saw on television when I was little, how they treat the new players [here], and suddenly to be here and experience that from the fans is incredible. I am really proud.
"I feel really good here, surrounded by fantastic players. I tried to run and move, which is what I have to do, and my teammates found me. It's been amazing. I am really happy."
Barcelona coach Quique Setien was impressed with what he saw from his new signing and tipped him to make a contribution in the final phase of the campaign.
"Braithwaite did more than I expected, much more," Setien said in a news conference. "Honestly, I think we have made an extraordinary signing. He's going to adapt perfectly to what we need.
"We've seen he has good movement this afternoon, but beyond the goals he was involved in, he's good in space and he understands the game so well. He is an extraordinary player and he's going to help us a lot."
While Braithwaite impressed on his debut, Messi once again stole the show with four goals. The Barca captain had gone four league games without a goal but his haul against Eibar took his tally for goals this season to 23 in all competitions.
Setien said the win was "just what was needed" as Barca prepare for a testing week. They travel to Napoli in the first leg of their Champions League tie against Napoli on Tuesday and then face Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
Barca's win against Eibar took them two points clear of Madrid at the top of the table, although Zinedine Zidane's side can reclaim the lead when they meet Levante later on Saturday.
Source: espn.co.uk