Ghanaian defender Hafiz Gariba has returned to training after being sidelined by illness that forced him to miss Barcelona's pre-season training camp in England.
The 19-year-old centre-back had been included in Hansi Flick's plans for the first-team pre-season following an impressive 2025/26 campaign with Barcelona's academy.
However, Gariba was unable to train over the past week due to a viral illness and fever, ruling him out of the club's 30-man travelling squad for the England camp.
Gariba will now train with the Barcelona B side in Spain, where he is expected to continue his development under coach Juliano Belletti. The young defender is projected to feature prominently for the reserve team this season while continuing to work towards a senior breakthrough.
The Ghanaian's return to action is a welcome development for the Catalan club, who view him as one of their promising young defensive prospects.
Gariba joined Barcelona in 2025 from Spanish academy side Fundacion Marcet and has progressed rapidly through the club's ranks. His rise has been remarkable, having played in Catalonia's fourth division just over a year ago.
With his contract running until June 2027, the defender remains highly regarded within the club's hierarchy, and his return to fitness will be crucial as he looks to build on his impressive youth team performances and continue his development in Spain.
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