MADRID, June 23, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Barcelona officially announced on Tuesday 
the permanent signing of teenage Egyptian striker Hamza Abdelkarim, after 
exercising their option to buy.

On loan from Al Ahly, his formative club, Abdelkarim arrived at Barca in the 
last January transfer window, playing the final stretch of the season with 
the club's Juvenil A side (under-16 to under-18 category).

He scored six goals in 11 matches, a level of performance that finally 
convinced the club to trigger the purchase option, with a contract running 
until 2029.

The club has not disclosed the fee, but several Spanish media outlets report 
that it was closed for 1.5 million euros ($1.7 million) plus add-ons.

Currently at the World Cup with the Pharaohs, the 18-year-old Abdelkarim has 
seen playing time in both of his national team's matches, against Belgium and 
New Zealand.