Barcelona lands Egyptian wunderkind Hamza Abdel Karim on loan: a bold bet with a potential buy
22 January 2026
Deal sealed
Barcelona has completed the final steps to sign Egyptian teenager Hamza Abdel Karim, aged 18, from Al Ahly. The transfer was finalized on Thursday, with an official public announcement expected in the coming days.
Loan terms and future options
According to Mundo Deportivo, the agreement is a loan through the end of the current season (2025-2026), with a mandatory or conditional purchase option up to 3 million euros as a base value. The total could rise to 5 million euros with performance-based bonuses tied to appearances, goals, or progression to the first team.
Path to Barca and obstacles
Negotiations faced a bump in the road when Al Ahly insisted on a contract extension for another year before allowing the move, causing a temporary delay. Yet Abdel Karim’s determination to pursue a Barça academy experience and his belief in the opportunities for young players at Barca helped push the deal over the line. La Masia is renowned for producing midfielders and wingers, but the 18-year-old hopes to add a new dimension to Barca’s attacking ranks.
He is soon set to travel to Barcelona for medicals and then join Barcelona Atlètic (the reserve team), which has been short on attacking options due to injuries. The reserve side has also added Spanish striker Joaquín Delgado on loan from Oviedo Vetusta.
