Al-Ahly forward officially joins Barcelona as the Catalan giants complete a major coup by signing one of Africa’s most prolific strikers.
FC Barcelona has pulled off another youth masterstroke by securing an 18-year-old African forward on loan from Egypt’s most storied club, complete with a modest buy option that could herald the first Egyptian in Blaugrana history.
This low-risk addition bolsters Barça Atlètic’s promotion push under Juliano Belletti, injecting raw goal threat amid the reserves’ title charge and Hansi Flick’s senior depth needs.
After weeks of negotiations, the deal caps a whirlwind January spree alongside Juwensley Onstein and others, showcasing Deco’s global scouting prowess.
That striker is Hamza Abdelkarim from Al Ahly, arriving on loan until June 30, 2026, with a €3m buy clause rising to €5m via add-ons—no loan fee required.
The prodigy, who dazzled at the FIFA U-17 World Cup for Egypt before senior bows in African Champions League and Egyptian Cup, passed medicals and toured facilities before the official announcement via Barça Atlètic’s channels.
Abdelkarim’s Al Ahly youth pedigree mirrors La Masia’s forge: explosive pace, clinical finishing, aerial leap—tailor-made for Belletti’s third-tier grind and potential senior cameos if Lewandowski rests.
Al Ahly president Walid Salah greenlit the move, praising Abdelkarim’s European ambition while safeguarding renewal to avoid a free exit.
As Egypt’s generational talent—first to Camp Nou—he eyes history, blending African flair with Catalan philosophy.
This signing fits Barcelona’s youth obsession, post-Brexit pivots to untapped markets like Africa. Abdelkarim joins amid Atlètic’s ascent, primed for preseason first-team integration if he dazzles—echoing Fermín López’s breakout.
La Masia’s borders expand; expect Abdelkarim’s clinical edge to ignite Catalan dreams, potentially transforming loan gamble into Camp Nou cornerstone.
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