Norwich City forward officially joins Barcelona

Barcelona has officially secured the signature of a promising  Norwich City forward in a high-profile move.

After weeks of administrative delays and paperwork hurdles, international clearance finally arrived, allowing the Catalan giants to push a long-anticipated deal over the line.

The transfer strengthens Barça’s growing pool of young forwards earmarked for a gradual pathway towards the first team.

The new signing is 16-year-old Ajay Tavares, an England youth international forward who arrives from Norwich City’s academy setup.

Barcelona have officially confirmed the move, announcing that the teenager will initially link up with Juvenil A, with a view to progressing to Barça Atlètic in the coming seasons.

FIFA approval was required due to cross-border and post-Brexit regulations, but Tavares’ Portuguese passport allowed the deal to be finalized before he turns 18.

Tavares has already represented England at U15, U16, and U17 levels and was highly rated at Norwich, where he featured regularly for the U18s and even appeared in pre-season with the first team.

Reports in England suggest that, had he debuted in the Championship this season, he would have become the club’s youngest-ever player.

Instead, he now swaps Carrow Road for Catalonia, following a well-trodden route of British youngsters trying their luck abroad at elite academies.

For Barcelona, the deal is viewed as a low-cost, high-upside investment in a direct, pacey winger with strong one‑v‑one ability and end product.

Tavares joins a wave of recent youth additions, and the club sees him as part of the next generation that could eventually support or succeed current attacking options in Flick’s high-intensity system.

With FIFA’s green light obtained and the contract signed, attention now turns to his adaptation in Spain and how quickly he can climb through the ranks at La Masia and into the professional setup.