BARCELONA – FC Barcelona have officially bolstered their ranks with the signing of 18-year-old Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim. The striker joins from African giants Al-Ahly in a deal that highlights Barcelona’s continued focus on identifying global talent for their B-team, Barça Atlètic.
The transfer is structured as a loan until the end of the current season, providing the Catalan club with an opportunity to evaluate Abdelkarim’s adaptation to European football before committing to a long-term stay.
Financial Details and Incentives While the initial move is a loan, Barcelona have secured an option to buy for a fixed fee of €3 million. According to reports, this figure could rise to €5 million based on performance-related variables and sporting objectives met during his time in Spain.
A Difficult Negotiation The path to the Camp Nou was not without its hurdles. Al-Ahly were initially reluctant to let their prized youngster leave without first securing a contract renewal. However, Abdelkarim’s firm desire to move to Catalonia proved decisive. The striker reportedly told his representatives that Barcelona was the “ideal environment” for his professional development, effectively pushing the Egyptian club to finalize the agreement.
Integration into Barça Atlètic The final bureaucratic steps were completed this Thursday. Abdelkarim is expected to fly to Barcelona in the coming days for his medical examinations. Once cleared, he will immediately join the Barça Atlètic squad under the guidance of the coaching staff, where he will aim to follow in the footsteps of other youth prospects making the jump to the first team.
Filepe Junior is a football writer tracking La Liga transfers, covering major signings, squad planning, and player movements across Spanish clubs.
