Barcelona promotes 16‑year‑old Ebrima Tunkara to first‑team squad

Ebrima Tunkara, a 16‑year‑old forward of Gambian origin who will soon turn 16, has emerged as one of Barcelona's most notable summer‑training discoveries. He is the only player born in 2010 to be included in Hansi Flick's first‑team group, reflecting the club's view of him as a serious future prospect.

Flick and the senior players were impressed by Tunkara's physical maturity and technical ability during pre‑season sessions. In Barcelona's 4‑1 friendly win over CE Europa, he entered the match and, three minutes later, scored the team's third goal after receiving a pass from Alex González. Injuries to Ronald Araújo, Alejandro Balde and Fermin López, together with the possible loan of Marc‑André ter Stegen to Ajax, have opened a realistic chance for him to remain with the first team instead of being sent to the reserves. Barcelona will soon travel to England for a pre‑season tour, with Flick monitoring Tunkara's development throughout the trip.