Hansi Flick to promote son of Barcelona legend for first-team pre-season – report | OneFootball

Every summer brings a few surprise names into Barcelona’s first-team plans, but this year’s pre-season could carry extra meaning for one young player in particular.

According to Dutch outlet The Telegraaf, Shane Kluivert has been informed that he will join Hansi Flick’s senior squad for pre-season preparations, giving the teenage winger a valuable opportunity to showcase his talent in front of the Barcelona coaching staff.

While for most academy players, a call-up to the first-team environment is a significant milestone, for a young Shane, it carries a legacy attached to his surname.

More than two decades after Patrick Kluivert became one of the club’s most recognisable forwards, his son is now being given the chance to take another step towards the same stage.

Flick rewards Shane

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @shanekluivert

The report suggests that Kluivert will report for medical tests on July 13 before joining Barcelona’s preparations for the new campaign, which includes a training camp at St George’s Park in England.

Although still only 18, Kluivert has climbed through the ranks of the club’s academy and is regarded internally as one of the standout attacking prospects in his age group. 

Barcelona underlined that belief earlier this year when they renewed his contract until 2028.

Eventual progress

As such, Kluivert’s progress has not been limited to youth football either, as just last season, he began featuring for Barcelona Atletic despite still being eligible for Juvenil A football. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @shanekluivert

That development appears to have convinced Flick that the winger deserves a closer look this summer.

Barcelona’s recent success has been built on giving opportunities to young players, and the club remain determined to keep that pathway open.

While expectations should be managed, pre-season often provides clues about which academy talents are closest to making the leap. 

For Kluivert, simply training alongside established first-team players could accelerate his development significantly.