Prim becomes the latest in early-career footballers who have signed for a Qatari side in recent years.
Spanish midfielder Pau Prim has joined Al Sadd from FC Barcelona’s youth set-up, the Qatar Stars League side announced on Tuesday.
Prim joins the defending Qatari champions on a four-year deal, becoming the latest in a flurry of young talents that have flocked to the league recently.
“Al Sadd Club officially announces the signing of Spanish player Pau Prim until 2029, from FC Barcelona,” Al Sadd said in a statement.
Prim has already represented Spain across various age groups, making 34 appearances so far and was the captain for the U-19 side in a friendly against Germany last year. It was his latest appearance for La Roja.
At Barcelona, he made 30 appearances for the reserve side in Spanish football’s third tier, Primera Federacion, after debuting during the 2023/24 season and was also a part of the U-19 side that competed in the UEFA Youth League.
The youngster penned an emotional message announcing his departure from the club, which he joined aged eight.
“Today is a different day, a day when the most special stage of my life so far ends,” the defensive midfielder wrote on his Instagram.
“The Barça feeling is unique, and wherever I go, I will carry it inside me. I will be a culer all my life, wherever I am.”
Described as “a player with 100% Barça DNA” by his departing club, Prim captained several Barcelona youth sides en route to establishing himself as one of the most promising talents of his age group.
“He joined the development system after coming through the Barça Escola, and the midfielder has shown his quality, decision-making and good ball mastery at every level,” Prim’s bio on Barcelona’s website reads.
Prim’s signature puts an end to a lengthy transfer saga that started in January and saw him get left out of the Barça Atletic squad following his refusal to renew his contract with the Catalan side, which ran until June 30.
The midfielder had already reached a verbal agreement to join Felix Sanchez’s side in late January, according to Fabrizio Romano.
“Barcelona’s 2006-born talent will leave the club with Qatar as next step,” Romano wrote after exclusively revealing earlier that Al Sadd had opened negotiations.
According to Spanish outlet SPORT, Prim’s entourage had received the defending Qatar Stars League champions’ proposal during the winter transfer window and the situation was eventually left “unresolved” as the winter market closed on January 31 in Qatar.
The 19-year-old joins young midfielder Agustin Soria in the list of youngsters that the defending champions have signed ahead of the next season.
Soria’s move was announced a few days earlier by the club, with the Uruguayan joining from Defensor Sporting on a five-year deal.
In the Qatari league, Prim will be in the familiar company of Alex Collado, Marc Muniesa and Rafa Mujica — all of whom came through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy. Similarly, a notable Spanish presence exists in the league, including Spanish international Joselu, Luis Alberto, David Sanchez, Rodrigo Moreno and Rodri Sanchez to name a few.
