From Cairo to Catalonia: Hamza Abdel Karim’s Barca Loan — A Youth Contract That Bounced to Barcelona
2 January 2026
Transfer Update
The Al Ahly football management took precautionary steps as their rising star Hamza Abdel Karim prepared to depart for Barcelona.
The clubs agreed that Abdel Karim would join Barcelona on a six-month loan with a 1.8 million euro buy option price.
A source told Koora that FIFA regulations govern youth contracts, and Ahly consistently seeks to protect its young talents by arranging deals that are signed when a player reaches 18, with a guardian's consent.
The explanation continued that another contract would activate when the player reached the legal age later on terms.
Hamza Abdel Karim turned 18 on January 1, so the contract he signed then was activated, which prompted Barca to negotiate with Ahly.
Sources said base contract was adjusted financially to suit the player if he returns from Europe without completing Barça spell.
He is due to move to Barcelona mid-month to join the reserve side on loan for training and development.
Rumor has it Ahly signed Hamza Abdel Karim to a three-year contract before finalizing the Barça deal.
Punchline: If transfers had a loyalty program, this deal would already earn miles.
Punchline 2: And if you blink, you’ll miss the paperwork — football’s version of time travel.
