Barcelona agree three-season deal with Egyptian airline as Hamza Abdelkarim boosts region’s appeal

Barcelona have signed a new three-season sponsorship agreement with an Egyptian airline, extending until the end of the 2028-29 campaign, as the club looks to strengthen its commercial presence in Egypt and across the Middle East and Africa.

The agreement was announced on Wednesday and comes as Egypt forward Hamza Abdelkarim is part of Barcelona’s first team following his move from Al Ahly.

There is no confirmation that Abdelkarim’s transfer directly led to the sponsorship deal. However, the presence of an Egyptian player in Barcelona’s senior squad is expected to have increased interest in the club among Egyptian supporters and businesses.

Barcelona have a substantial following in Egypt, and Abdelkarim’s involvement gives the partnership an additional local connection at a time when the club is continuing to expand its reach in the region.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Egyptian airline becomes Barcelona’s official and exclusive airline carrier. The partnership covers the men’s first football team, as well as the club’s basketball and handball teams.

The airline’s logo will not appear on the shirt worn by Barcelona’s men’s first team, according to the details announced by the Catalan club.

It will, however, be displayed on the front of the handball team’s shirt during matches.

Barcelona said the partnership would help broaden its brand and open access to new markets, with a particular focus on the Middle East and Africa. The club already has a large supporter base in both regions.

Marc Brochs, Barcelona’s global sponsorship director, described the collaboration with the Egyptian company as a “natural step” in the club’s international expansion. He said Barcelona wanted to bring its values and passion to supporters in the Middle East and Africa.

The Egyptian airline said the agreement represented an important achievement in its history. It highlighted the combination of its approximately 95-year history with Barcelona’s global standing.

The sponsorship comes as Barcelona continues to develop its commercial profile in the region. The club has sought to use its worldwide popularity to build stronger links with local markets, supporters and companies.

Abdelkarim’s place within the first-team set-up now provides a new Egyptian dimension to Barcelona’s relationship with the country. His presence could also offer an additional attraction for Egyptian fans and potential commercial partners.

The deal does not place the airline’s branding on Barcelona’s main football shirt, but its role as the club’s official and exclusive airline carrier represents a significant association between the two organisations. Its visible presence on the handball shirt will provide the company with a matchday platform while the wider agreement links it to several of Barcelona’s sporting sections.

The partnership therefore combines Barcelona’s efforts to grow in a key international market with the increased attention generated by the arrival of Hamza Abdelkarim from Al Ahly.

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