Barcelona have moved in the final hours of the transfer window to secure two signings from Germany, bringing in midfielder Mirza Catovic from Stuttgart and defender Mickael Baza from Hamburger SV, with both players set to begin their development within the club’s youth setup.
Catovic arrives in Catalonia on loan with an option to buy, while Baza joins on a permanent deal under a three-year contract, in two transfers aimed at strengthening Barça Atlètic and developing players capable of gradually breaking into the first team.
Mirza Catovic: A Holding Midfielder Tailored for Barcelona
Barcelona reached an agreement with Stuttgart to loan Catovic for a season, including a €3.5 million purchase option for the 19-year-old, who traveled to the Spanish city on Monday to complete his transfer.
The Germany U19 international will directly join Belletti’s Barça Atlètic squad, where the club plans to grant him a key midfield role before deciding whether to trigger his buy-option at the end of the campaign.
Catovic operates as a holding midfielder, standing 190 cm tall, and is distinguished by his left-footedness, composure in possession, and ability to dictate play from deep, alongside strong tackling and spatial awareness in front of the back line.
Born in Serbia before representing Germany at youth level, Catovic joined Stuttgart’s academy in 2022 and established himself with the reserve team, making 45 appearances in the 3. Liga and scoring two goals, including 29 appearances and one goal during the 2025–2026 season.
Despite being included in Stuttgart’s first-team matchday squads for several UEFA Europa League fixtures, the midfielder did not make an official appearance, opting to join Barça Atlètic in search of greater play time and a clearer pathway to senior football.
Mickael Baza: Jonathan Tah’s Relative Starts from the Youth Ranks
The second deal sees the arrival of Mickael Baza, a 16-year-old German center-back, with Barcelona completing a permanent agreement with Hamburger SV for his transfer on a contract running until June 2029, as the player had entered the final year of his contract.
Baza will split time between Juvenil B and Barça Atlètic, with his involvement gradually increasing alongside invitations to selected first-team training sessions when physically and technically ready, as the club views him as a long-term prospect rather than an immediate fix for Hansi Flick’s defense.
The German defender excels as a left-sided center-back, possessing physical strength and set-piece goal threat. He made 15 starts for Hamburg’s U17 side last season, scoring 4 goals, before earning a promotion to train with the U19s and feature for the reserve team.
Baza is related to Bayern Munich and Germany national team defender Jonathan Tah, with both players having launched their careers through Hamburg’s academy. The youngster chose Barcelona’s proposal despite interest from Bayern Munich, embarking on his path toward the first team through La Masia and Barça Atlètic.
