Barcelona sign Norwich prospect Tavares

Spanish giants Barcelona have signed Norwich City academy prospect Ajay Tavares.

The 16-year-old had reportedly attracted interest from a number of European clubs and Norwich will be entitled to compensation, although the Canaries have not confirmed the financial aspects of the deal.

Tavares, who first joined Norwich at under-12 level, was sent on as a substitute in a first-team pre-season friendly against Dutch club Volendam last summer when only 15, but he has not appeared in a competitive fixture at senior level.

“Whilst we are incredibly sad to be losing a young academy player of Ajay’s talent, our overriding sense is one of immense pride,” said Norwich sporting director Ben Knapper.

Tavares made his most recent appearance for Norwich’s under-18 team against Chelsea at Colney on 31 January.

“On an international level, he has represented England at under-15, under-16 and under-17 levels, and we’ve no doubt he’ll continue to make great steps for both club and country in the years to come,” Knapper added.

He is not the first 16-year-old to be signed by Barcelona from English football.

In 2019, Louie Barry joined them from West Bromwich Albion, but he returned the following year when Aston Villa paid a fee of about 1m euros (£880,000) for the young forward.

That was a year after Barcelona signed 18-year-old Marcus McGuane from Arsenal, with the midfielder joining their B side.