Barcelona acquires young winger Ajay Tavares from Norwich City

Barcelona has finalized the acquisition of England youth international Ajay Tavares from Championship club Norwich City, as confirmed by the club.

According to sources, Tavares, 16, traveled to the Catalan city over the weekend and underwent a medical examination with the club on Monday prior to completing his transfer to the Spanish champions.

Initially, he will join the under-19 team (Juvenil A), but the plan is for him to eventually participate with Barça Atletic, the club’s reserve squad competing in the fourth division of Spanish football.

Barcelona aimed to conclude the agreement for Tavares in January; however, administrative issues postponed the transfer. Those challenges have now been resolved, with FIFA granting approval for the deal to be finalized.

Tavares has represented England at U15, U16, and U17 levels, but he also possesses a Portuguese passport, which aided in facilitating his transfer to Barcelona.

British nationals are restricted from joining Spanish clubs until they reach 18, but his EU passport allowed him to transfer at the age of 16.

Norwich, on the other hand, faced limitations as they could not offer him a professional contract until he turns 17, which will not occur until December.

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Tavares made one appearance for the first team at Carrow Road, although it was during a preseason friendly last summer, with the majority of his playing time spent with the academy teams.

“While we are extremely saddened to be losing a young academy player of Ajay’s caliber, our predominant feeling is one of great pride,” said Norwich sporting director Ben Knapper in a statement.

“Ajay’s development has been a reflection of the excellent work of everyone associated with our academy, who have influenced his journey and contributed to this remarkable achievement. Moreover, Ajay has been a credit to himself and his family, and we couldn’t be prouder to see him take this step to one of the most renowned football clubs and academies in the world.”

Tavares becomes the second England youth international to join Barça’s prestigious La Masia academy in the past decade.

The first English player to reside at La Masia was Louie Barry in 2019, although he departed in less than a year to sign with Premier League club Aston Villa. Marcus McGuane, currently with Huddersfield Town, also spent a year with Barça’s reserve team in 2018, while Marcus Rashford is presently part of Hansi Flick’s first team on loan from Manchester United.