Official: Barcelona sign 18-year-old African attacking prodigy | OneFootball

After weeks of negotiations and speculations, FC Barcelona have finally announced the signing of teenage striker Hamza Abdelkarim from Al-Ahly.

The 18-year-old striker arrives on a loan deal until the end of the season with a purchase option for the summer, and will be a part of the Barça Atletic setup.

“FC Barcelona and Al Ahly have reached an agreement for the loan of Hamza Abdelkarim until June 30, 2026. The agreement includes an option to buy for the Catalan club at the end of the season,” the statement read.

“The Egyptian striker joins Barça Atletic, after having passed the usual medical tests and getting to know the Club’s facilities, and in the coming days he will start training with his new teammates.”

Having joined the club, Hamza Abdelkarim becomes the first Egyptian player to sign for Barcelona.

The 18-year-old striker came through the youth ranks at Al Ahly and first popped on Barça’s radars after he played a key role in the last FIFA U-17 World Cup for the Egyptian U-17 national team.

Since then, Hamza went on to make his senior debut for Al Ahly in the African Champions League, in addition to playing a few matches in the Egyptian Cup.

Now he joins Barcelona in the hope of helping Barça Atletic to promotion and convincing the Catalans to make his signing permanent in the summer.

The purchase clause fee is set at €3 million, although it could rise to €5 million based on add-ons.