Barcelona’s Pre-Season in Full Swing: Raphinha Joins Camp, Gamper Trophy Awaits
FC Barcelona’s pre-season preparations are intensifying as the squad settles into their training camp at St George’s Park in Birmingham, England. The Blaugrana, under the guidance of new head coach Hansi Flick, completed a double session on Thursday, July 30, with Brazilian winger Raphinha being the main new addition after joining the camp on Wednesday. The team is gearing up for their first friendly match against Birmingham City, scheduled for this weekend, with broadcast details available via Barça Play and YouTube Premium.
Flick has brought a 30-man squad to England, including young talents like Fermín López, who participated in his first session with the group on Monday. The camp runs until August 3, after which Barcelona will return to face Al Ahly in the Gamper Trophy on August 19 at the Spotify Camp Nou. This match marks the first time the Barça Foundation logo will appear on the back of the shirt, reinforcing the club’s commitment to social transformation through sport.
Off the pitch, Barcelona continues to make headlines in the transfer market. The club has secured young forward Nuhu Fofana until 2030, while right-back Joan Anaya has been transferred to Sant Andreu with a sell-on clause. Meanwhile, the €105 million bond issued by the club was oversubscribed twice over in under two hours, signaling strong financial confidence. However, the club’s election result faces a legal review after an appeal by candidate Ciria was admitted.
In women’s football, Barcelona’s women’s team has begun pre-season training, with all available first-team players and six reserve-team players taking part. The club also announced a groundbreaking study using artificial intelligence to predict injuries in elite women’s football, published in npj Digital Medicine. As the new season approaches, Barcelona is balancing on-field preparations with off-field developments, aiming to reclaim domestic and European glory under Flick’s high-pressing system.
Shimanta Das 
