Barcelona have completed the signing of young Copenhagen star Roony Bardghji for £1.75million (€2m).
The 19-year-old, dubbed the ‘Swedish Messi’, has joined the Spanish giants on a four-year deal.
Copenhagen will receive a sell-on fee while there are also a number of performance-related add ons.
The winger will take part in Hansi Flick’s pre-season tour of Asia later this month, before a decision is made on whether he will stick with the first team, go out on loan, or join Barcelona’s youth sides.
After announcing his signing, Barcelona described the youngster as ‘a great prospect for the future, while praising his ‘skill, speed, and goalscoring ability’.
Bardghji’s contract with Copenhagen was set to expire in December, allowing Barcelona to complete a cut-price deal.
Barcelona have completed the signing of young Copenhagen star Roony Bardghji for £1.75m
The youngster was thrust into the limelight after scoring a winner against Manchester United
Bardghji made his debut for Copenhagen in 2021 and has impressed in the Champions League
Born in Kuwait to Syrian parents, Bardghji has Swedish nationality and has represented their Under-21 side on ten occasions.
After moving to Sweden, he played for a number of youth sides, including in Malmo’s academy.
He later moved to Copenhagen’s academy in 2020 and was handed his senior debut at a mere 16 years and six days in November 2021, becoming the club’s youngest ever player.
A week later he lashed in a 25-yard shot into the bottom corner against Aalborg, to become the youngest scorer in Danish top-flight history.
Promoted to Copenhagen’s first team in 2022, the winger scored 15 goals in 84 games, winning three Danish league titles and two Danish cups.
Bardghji’s stock rose further after he scored the winner against Manchester United in the Champions League, aged just 17.
However, he has seen his progress hampered by a serious ACL injury, spending 10 months on the sidelines.
The Swede returned in March this year, making six league appearances before the end of the season.
The winger was handed his senior debut at a mere 16 years and six days in November 2021.
Hansi Flick will bring Bardghji on Barcelona’s pre-season tour before deciding his future
The young star is not short of confidence and last year told The Athletic he wished to ‘become the best player in the world’.
Meanwhile, in November 2023, after Sweden coach Janne Andersson said that Roony had ‘a lot to prove at the highest level to take the final step’, he replied by saying: ‘How much more do you have to do as a 17-year-old to get a place?’
Chelsea, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Ajax had also previously sent scouts to Copenhagen to watch the youngster.
