In a significant move, Spanish football giants Barcelona have signed Norwich City academy prospect Ajay Tavares. The 16-year-old talent has been on the radar of several European clubs, making this acquisition a notable victory for Barcelona.
Tavares first joined Norwich at the under-12 level and has since demonstrated his potential in various matches. He was even sent on as a substitute in a first-team pre-season friendly against Dutch club Volendam last summer when he was only 15 years old. However, he is yet to appear in a competitive fixture at the senior level.
Norwich sporting director Ben Knapper expressed both sadness and pride over losing such an exceptional young player from their academy. "Ajay's progress has been a testament to the fantastic work of everyone connected with our academy...and we couldn't be prouder to see him take this step to one of the most iconic football clubs and academies in world football," said Knapper.
International representation
Tavares' talent extends beyond club-level games; he has represented England at under-15, under-16, and under-17 levels. His most recent appearance for Norwich's under-18 team was against Chelsea at Colney on 31 January. "We've no doubt he'll continue to make great steps for both club and country in the years to come," added Knapper. While it is confirmed that Norwich will be entitled to compensation following Tavares' transfer, specific financial details remain undisclosed by the Canaries.
Interestingly, Tavares isn't Barcelona's first teenage signing from English football. In 2019 Louie Barry joined them from West Bromwich Albion but returned home when Aston Villa paid about €1m (£880k) for him just one year later. Similarly, in 2018, Barcelona signed 18-year-old Marcus McGuane from Arsenal. McGuane joined Barcelona's B side before returning to England in 2020 to sign for Nottingham Forest and has since played for Oxford United, Bristol City, and Huddersfield Town.
Barcelona's acquisition of Ajay Tavares underscores their commitment to nurturing young talent. As the football world watches this promising player embark on his journey with one of the most iconic clubs globally, it will be interesting to see how Tavares' career unfolds.
