“Loan agreement reached between FC Barcelona and Ahly for the Egyptian forward until 30 June, with an option to buy at the end of the season,” the Spanish giants said in a statement via their official website without disclosing the financial details.
Barcelona was in intensive talks to sign the Egyptian player during the past month; taking pole position amid a reported interest from other European clubs like Bayern Munich, Olympique Lyon, Manchester City and AC Milan.
The Catalan club has reportedly submitted an offer for Abdelkarim last month that includes a six-month loan until June 2026 with a €4 million purchase option, as they seek to reinforce their reserve side, Barça Atlètic, amid a shortage of fit natural forwards.
The official announcement had been postponed until the January 2026 transfer window, when Abdelkarim turns 18, in line with FIFA regulations governing international transfers of minors.
The 18-year old Abdelkarim will be the first ever Egyptian player to join the Cataln club.
“The Egyptian forward joins Barça Atlètic after passing routine medical tests and having a tour around Club facilities, and he is set to start training with his teammates in the coming days,” the Barca statement added.
Abdelkarim expressed his great delight after the singing vowing to prove his worth on the pitch.
“The feeling is great. I am ready and excited and I can’t wait to be on the pitch,” he told the club’s official TV channel.
“My goal is to give my all for this club and hopefully to make the first team and represent this club in the best possible way,” the Ahly player added promising Egyptian fans to make them proud of him.
A rising talent
Abdelkarim, who came through Ahly’s youth ranks, made nine appearances with the Cairo giants {one in the Champions League, six in Egyptian League Cup, one Premier League appearance and other one in Egypt Cup}.
He has been a standout performer for Egypt’s youth national teams. He played a key role in Egypt’s success at the 2024 UNAF Under-17 tournaments and scored twice at the 2025 Africa Under-17 Cup of Nations, despite Egypt exiting at the group stage.
His profile rose further at the 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup last November in Qatar, where he scored two goals and provided an assist in the group stage, earning man-of-the-match awards, including against Angola, as Egypt reached the round of 16.
Scouts have described him as a classic target man, noted for his physical presence, aerial strength and instinctive finishing inside the penalty area, while pointing to his link-up play as an area still under development.
“He is a very mobile forward who links well and has a good eye for goal,” the Braca statement concluded about the new signing,” the Barca statement concluded.
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