BARCELONA have completed the signing of Norwich City youngster Ajay Tavares.
16-year-old Tavares has joined the Spanish Giants on a two-year deal, with the winger attracting interest from numerous top clubs.
Norwich will be entitled to receive compensation for the signing, with Tavares first joining the Canaries academy at Under-12 level.
Norwich Sporting Director Ben Knapper said:
“Whilst we are incredibly sad to be losing a young academy player of Ajay’s talent, our overriding sense is one of immense pride”
He continued: “Ajay’s progress has been a testament to the fantastic work of everyone connected with our academy, who have impacted his journey and contributed to this wonderful achievement… 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.”
Tavares hadn’t registered a single first-team appearance for Norwich, but did feature in a pre-season friendly against Volendam.
The youngster has registered seventeen appearances in the under 18 Premier League, with his most recent appearance coming against Chelsea on January 31.
Surprisingly, Tavares isn’t the first 16-year-old Englishman to make the switch to the Spanish giants.
Louie Barry left West Bromwich Albion in 2019 to join Barcelona, but returned to England a year later after Aston Villa paid just shy of one million Euros for his signature.
