Who is Noah Darvich? - Barcelona signing has been compared to Özil and Musiala
In 16-year-old Noah Darvich, SC Freiburg have lost one of the biggest talents in German football. Darvich, who led Germany’s U17 as captain to the 2023 UEFA Under-17 Euro title this summer, has joined Barcelona this week. Freiburg will receive an initial €2.5 million plus bonuses that, according to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, could see the deal grow to €5m. It is the highest fee Freiburg have received for a U20 player, and Darvich’s contract at Barça will have a €1 billion exit clause.
Freiburg head coach Christian Streich has recently criticized Barcelona’s attempts to sign the talented midfielder. “In financial terms, the boys have countless role models,” Streich said. “When a 16-year-old sees what is going on in football, how is he supposed to keep a clear head?” Sporting director Klemens Hartenbach, in the meantime, indicated that the club did everything to keep the young star. “We showed Noah and his family a clear path and perspective at Freiburg, but his decision went a different direction,” Hartenbach said. “We hope that he can fulfill the expectations at FC Barcelona—and wish him all the best. The doors at Freiburg are never fully closed, only ajar.”
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Without a doubt, the Bundesliga club is disappointed to have lost one of Germany’s biggest talents. Darvich has been at the club since 2017 and was promoted to the second team, which plays in the 3. Liga (third division) ahead of this season. But it has been the performances for Germany that have caught the attention of several clubs around Europe. Ultimately, Barcelona beat out the likes of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester City.
Noah Darvich: Teenager has a bit of Musiala and Özil to his game
But why has Darvich been in high demand? Certainly, his performance at the U17 European Championship this summer played a major role. Darvich scored two goals and provided four assists in six games for Germany. But more importantly, the attacking midfielder also led a team as captain that is considered one of the most talented groups German football has produced since the golden generation that won the World Cup in 2014.
What makes Darvich intriguing is not just his leadership qualities but skills that have become increasingly more in demand in German football. Like Bayern’s Jamal Musiala, who incidentally received his football education in England, and Germany’s last great no.10 Mesut Özil, Darvich combines great vision and technique with raw street footballer instincts. Darvich is great in one-v-one situations, a skillset in high demand in German football and increasingly brought in from abroad.
That skillset also meant that Darvich was in high demand in Germany. But Barça could offer several things that Bundesliga clubs could not offer. First, there is La Masia, the fabled Barça academy that has produced some of the world’s most famous players. Second, Barcelona guaranteed Darvich and his family that he could finish his education. Third, Barça, unlike many German clubs, offered a clear path to the first team, and finally, Darvich is represented by Leaderbrock Sports, the agency that also represents Pedri—another player who has made the successful path from Barça’s academy to the first team. With all that in mind, one can understand Freiburg’s reaction to losing the player but also why Darvich has made the leap of faith by joining one of Europe’s most storied clubs.
- Date of birth/Age:
- Sep 25, 2006 (17)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- FC Barcelona Atlètic
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2026
- Position:
- Attacking Midfield
- Market Value:
- €2.50m
- Total Market Value:
- €188.65m
- Competition:
- Bundesliga
- Position:
- 7.
- Manager:
- Christian Streich
- Squad size:
- 28
- Latest Transfer:
- Florent Muslija
FC Barcelona Atlètic
Germany U17
Bayern Munich
Manchester City
Borussia Dortmund
Paris Saint-Germain
