Breaking: Big reward: Barcelona announce the long-awaited news about Hamza Abdelkarim
Barça secure the Egyptian talent with a new contract
Barcelona have officially announced the renewal of Egyptian striker Hamza Abdel Karim's contract until 30 June 2030. The Catalan club have ended any concerns over the player's future after his striking start to pre-season.
The deal to extend Hamza's stay followed negotiations with his agent Christian Emile, news the Spanish press had anticipated over the past few days.
4 goals that boosted Hamza's stock
Barcelona's board recognised several weeks ago that they needed to improve the Egyptian striker's terms. He had strongly caught the eye during pre-season.
Hamza finished the preparatory tour as Barcelona's top scorer with 4 goals in 5 matches. That form presented him in a strong light and convinced the club's officials to act quickly.
His brilliance was not the only reason behind the haste. The matter was also linked to the particular circumstances surrounding his move to the Catalan club.
From Al Ahly to Barcelona for 1.5 million euros
Hamza arrived at Barcelona from Al Ahly, spending 6 months on loan with the reserve team before the Catalan club activated the final purchase clause for 1.5 million euros.
But the value of the deal was not fixed. The final cost of the transfer could have risen significantly depending on variables linked to the player.
Given the rapid development Hamza showed, the board began to worry about his contractual situation. The release clause in his previous contract stood at only 15 million euros.
Barcelona raise the release clause
The Catalan club planned to raise the release clause in Hamza's contract to 150 million euros, protecting him from the ambitions of rival clubs.
Drew's recent departure sharpened Barcelona's determination to move quickly. The player left the club after another side paid his release clause of 6 million euros.
Barcelona duly intensified their contacts with Hamza's agent until the two parties reached a new agreement, guaranteeing the Egyptian striker's stay until 2030.
From a 1.5 million deal to a protected talent
The renewal marks a major leap in Hamza's standing at Barcelona. He arrived as an investment worth 1.5 million euros and became, in a short period, one of the most prominent young players the club are keen to protect.
With the striker's level exploding, Barcelona moved quickly to secure his future. Hamza is now tied to the Catalan club until the summer of 2030, rather than his previous deal which ran until 2029.
