# Barcelona Gives 18-Year-Old Haaland of Nile $115M Release Clause

> Barcelona signs Egyptian teen Hamza Abdelkarim with $115m release clause, calling him 'Haaland of the Nile'.
- Title: Barcelona Gives 18-Year-Old Haaland of Nile $115M Release…
- Summary: Barcelona signs Egyptian teen Hamza Abdelkarim with $115m release clause, calling him 'Haaland of the Nile'. Barcelona has signed 18-year-old Egyptian…
- Keywords: hamza abdelkarim, barcelona, release clause, haaland of the nile, al ahly, world cup, hansi flick, pharaohs, barcelona fc, soccer, egypt, nfl
- Source: SI — https://si.com/soccer/barcelona-haaland-of-the-nile-115-million-release-clause
- Published: 2026-09-16T10:45:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: hamza abdelkarim, barcelona, release clause, haaland of the nile, al ahly, world cup, hansi flick, pharaohs, barcelona fc, soccer, egypt, nfl
## New Contract
18-year-old Hamza Abdelkarim signed a new Barcelona contract with $115 million release clause.

> When someone asks me which players I look up to and learn from, I think [Erling] Haaland is an amazing striker.
## Loan to Barça
Abdelkarim joined Barcelona on loan in February from Al Ahly, with a $1.7 million transfer fee.
## Haaland Comparison
Abdelkarim calls Erling Haaland his role model, embracing the 'Haaland of the Nile' nickname.

> He has a lot of strengths. Always when I watch him, I find something I can learn from him and something I can do to improve my game.
## World Cup Impact
Abdelkarim played in four of Egypt's five World Cup matches this summer.
## Physical Profile
Over six feet tall, Abdelkarim is a clinical finisher with four goals in five friendlies.
## Team Role
Barcelona sees Abdelkarim as a potential No.9 striker to fill the gap left by Lewandowski.
## Playing Time
Abdelkarim says he respects the coach's decision on playing time and works daily to improve.

> Playing time is the coach's decision, and I respect that.
## Egyptian First
Abdelkarim is the first Egyptian to play for Barcelona, with potential to become a key player for Egypt.
## Key takeaway

Barcelona has signed 18-year-old Egyptian striker Hamza Abdelkarim with a $115 million release clause, labeling him the 'Haaland of the Nile'.