Barcelona lands Hamza Abdel Karim on loan from Al Ahly

Deal sealed: Hamza Abdel Karim lands on loan at Barcelona

Barcelona finalized the last details of the deal to sign Egyptian forward Hamza Abdel Karim (18) on loan.

According to club sources, the operation was sealed this Thursday, with the loan running until the end of the season and an option to buy for up to 3 million euros, rising to 5 million if certain variables materialize.

Mundo Deportivo reported that Barca faced difficulties because Al Ahly wanted to renew the player's contract before allowing the departure, which caused a pause in talks. Yet the young striker's wish mattered, as he believes Barcelona favors giving opportunities to youth and developing homegrown forwards.

In recent days, the two clubs moved the verbal agreement into formal contracts, and Thursday saw the deal closed. Abdel Karim will travel to Barcelona for medicals before joining Barcelona Atlètic, which also added Joaquin Delgado on a loan from Oviedo Vetusta, strengthening the reserve side.

Hamza had stood out at the recent Under-17 World Cup.

The move marks another step in Barcelona's effort to bolster their attacking options from within the academy and the broader market, especially with a rebuild underway.

For Al Ahly, it's a business move that could yield future leverage, while for Hamza it's a rare chance to prove himself at one of Europe's storied clubs.

If all goes well, his medicals pass without a hitch and he comes off the bench with a goal celebration that doesn't involve a translator.

Punchline 1: If he scores, Barça will call it a homegrown miracle; if not, blame the translator on the bench.

Punchline 2: Barca’s scouting has found a way to turn age 18 into a transfer strategy—just add a medical and a map to the first team.