Laporte drops surprise announcement in New York: Ghanaian winger Abdul Aziz Issah to return to Barcelona

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has made an unexpected announcement from the streets of New York: Ghanaian winger Abdul Aziz Issah will rejoin the club following the expiration of his loan spell, and could train with Hansi Flick’s first team as early as Monday.

Laporta, who is in the United States to attend Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium, was approached by a Ghanaian supporter during a walk in New York. The fan asked about Issah, who had spent the last two seasons on loan at Barça Atlètic from Ghanaian side Dreams FC.

Laporta’s response caught everyone off guard. “I know Aziz. We brought him in for our reserve team. And now he’ll be part of the first-team set-up. A great lad,” the Barcelona president said, as quoted by SPORT.

The Journey So Far

Issah, a 20-year-old left-footed winger born on 20 November 2005 in Accra, initially joined Barcelona on a season-long loan for the 2024/25 season from Dreams FC. He managed just two appearances and 26 minutes in his first campaign, leading Barcelona to initially decline the purchase option.

However, renewed talks resulted in an extended loan for the 2025/26 season. Over the two-year spell, Issah made 22 appearances for Barça Atlètic, scoring four goals and providing one assist. In the 2025/26 season specifically, he recorded 11 appearances and two goals in 415 minutes before being sidelined with an adductor muscle injury.

A Rising Star in Ghana

Issah first rose to prominence during the 2023/24 campaign with Dreams FC, where he scored four goals and contributed two assists in the CAF Confederation Cup, helping his club reach the semi-finals. His long-range strike against Lobito was nominated for CAF Goal of the Year.

He has also represented Ghana at the U-20 level, scoring in the U-20 AFCON quarter-finals against Egypt and earning a Man of the Match award. In 2025, Issah made his senior debut for the Black Stars in the Unity Cup in London.

What Comes Next?

According to SPORT, Issah will fly from Ghana this weekend and is expected to arrive in Barcelona on Sunday. If Laporta’s comments prove accurate, the winger could begin training with Hansi Flick’s first-team squad as early as Monday, 20 July, when Barcelona’s pre-season preparations begin.

However, his long-term role remains uncertain. Barça Atlètic also begin pre-season training on Monday, with several academy prospects preparing for the new campaign. The club must now decide whether Issah will remain with the first team during pre-season, return to Barça Atlètic, or be loaned out again to continue his development.

For now, the young Ghanaian’s return to Barcelona is confirmed – and his opportunity to impress Hansi Flick begins this weekend.