Ajay Tavares completes move from Norwich to Barcelona
Spanish giants Barcelona have signed Norwich City academy prospect ajay tavares, the 16-year-old who has been playing for Norwich's under-18 team this season. The transfer followed international clearance and a completed medical, with FIFA approval recorded for the move.
Ajay Tavares: the basics of the transfer
The teenager first joined Norwich at under-12 level and has progressed through the club’s academy to the under-18s this season. He made his most recent appearance for Norwich's under-18 team against Chelsea at Colney on 31 January, and he was sent on as a substitute in a first-team pre-season friendly against Dutch club Volendam last summer when he was 15. He has not appeared in a competitive senior fixture.
Deal details and clearance
Barcelona completed the deal after receiving international clearance and completing the medical for the 16-year-old, with FIFA approval noted for the transfer. Norwich will be entitled to compensation, although the Canaries have not confirmed the financial aspects of the deal.
Norwich reaction: Ben Knapper on the move
Norwich sporting director Ben Knapper said the club were "incredibly sad to be losing a young academy player of Ajay's talent" but that the overriding sense was "one of immense pride. " He added that Ajay's progress was "a testament to the fantastic work of everyone connected with our academy" and expressed belief that the player would continue to make progress for both club and country.
Youth record and international experience
On an international level, Tavares has represented England at under-15, under-16 and under-17 levels. At club level, ajay tavares has attracted interest from a number of European clubs during his development at Norwich before completing the move to Barcelona.
How this fits with other English youngsters at Barcelona
The switch continues a recent pattern of Barcelona recruiting young English talent. Louie Barry joined from West Bromwich Albion in 2019 but returned the following year when Aston Villa paid a fee of about 1m euros (£880, 000). Barcelona signed Marcus McGuane from Arsenal in 2018, with the midfielder joining their B side; McGuane returned to England in 2020 to sign for Nottingham Forest and has since played for Oxford United, Bristol City and Huddersfield Town. The club has also hosted London-born Ian Poveda in La Masia over the past decade, and last summer Barcelona took Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford on a year-long loan. In the 1980s, when Terry Venables was in charge at Camp Nou, Barcelona brought in Mark Hughes and Gary Lineker — a reminder that English players have featured at the club across different eras.
Next steps now the transfer is complete
With international clearance in place, a completed medical and FIFA approval recorded, the transfer is concluded and Tavares will move to Barcelona. The Canaries will receive compensation for the 16-year-old, though the club has not disclosed the financial details.
