Egyptian teenager Hamza Abdelkarim has left national youth team duties to finalize his work permit and residency papers following his historic move to Barcelona.
Barcelona’s Hamza Abdelkarim has departed Egypt’s youth camp to complete essential work permit procedures in Spain.
The 18-year-old striker, who joined from Ahly on loan this February, is the first Egyptian to sign for the Catalan giants.
The EFA stated: “Barcelona informed the EFA that the player should return in the coming few hours as the procedures of his stay and work permit are almost done.”
Abdelkarim’s move includes a 4-million-euro purchase option to bolster the Barça Atlètic reserve side. After standout performances at the U-17 World Cup, he drew interest from Manchester City and Bayern Munich before choosing Spain.
The EFA confirmed his attendance is required to “end the papers himself and attend the training sessions” as the club navigates a shortage of fit natural forwards.