Barcelona confirm permanent signing of Egyptian talent Hamza Abdel Karim

Barcelona have completed the permanent signing of Egyptian forward Hamza Abdel Karim from Al Ahly, following the conclusion of his loan spell at the club.

The Catalan club had initially secured the services of the Egyptian international in January on a six-month loan deal, which included an option to make the transfer permanent depending on his performances. After an impressive spell in Spain, Barcelona have now triggered that clause to secure his long-term future at the club.

The decision comes after a standout period for Hamza with Barcelona’s under-19 side, where he quickly established himself as one of the team’s most reliable attacking threats. His ability to find space in the box, dominate aerial duels, and finish with composure has made him one of the most promising young forwards in the youth system.

His performances at club level also earned him recognition at international level, with the forward being named in Egypt’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Although used mainly as a substitute, Hamza has already shown glimpses of his potential on the global stage, particularly in matches against Belgium and New Zealand, where his physical presence and aerial strength added a different dimension to Egypt’s attack.

At youth level, his numbers have been particularly impressive. Hamza registered six goals in 11 appearances for Barcelona’s U19 side, underlining his consistency since arriving in Spain. He made an immediate impact after his debut on March 8, marking the occasion with a goal against Huesca, before going on to enjoy a strong run in league fixtures.

One of his most notable performances came in a standout match against Monte Carlo, where he scored a hat-trick, further strengthening his reputation as a rising attacking talent within the club’s academy structure. Across his early run of games, he went on to score six goals in nine league appearances, a return that significantly influenced Barcelona’s decision to secure his long-term future.

Reports in Spain have increasingly highlighted the growing excitement around the young striker, with some media outlets even describing him as one of the most promising attacking prospects in Barcelona’s academy setup. His blend of physical strength and technical finishing has drawn comparisons with established modern forwards, raising expectations for his development trajectory.

Barcelona’s official confirmation of the deal reportedly includes a long-term contract running until June 2029, reflecting the club’s commitment to integrating him into their long-term project.

From Al Ahly’s perspective, the move represents another significant export of emerging talent to Europe, reinforcing the club’s reputation as a key developer of elite-level African footballers.

For Egypt, Hamza’s rise adds further depth to an evolving attacking pool at international level. With continued exposure in European football and growing experience on the world stage, he is expected to play an increasingly important role in the national team setup in the years ahead.