Overview
- Karim Adeyemi started for Barcelona in a 2-2 friendly with Birmingham City, played the first 45 minutes and was substituted at halftime after several misplaced passes and poor finishing.
- Head coach Hansi Flick said Adeyemi has more potential than he showed in the match but noted the player is only in his first week of training with the squad.
- Barcelona confirmed Adeyemi signed a multi-year deal from Borussia Dortmund for a reported €22 million base fee plus up to €7 million in bonuses and a contract through 2031, with reports of a 35% sell-on clause for Dortmund.
- Eighteen-year-old Hamza Abdelkarim scored twice on his Barcelona debut, drawing praise and creating immediate competition for attacking minutes that could limit Adeyemi's early opportunities.
- Several regulars were absent from the friendly and reports link goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to a likely loan to Ajax, so preseason matches remain a limited test and will shape who earns minutes before LaLiga starts.