Roony Bardghji is a complete unknown to most football fans, including some of those in Barcelona.
But at the Catalan club, everyone is certain that he will soon cease to be so. In just a couple of training sessions, he has already won over Hansi Flick, who was clear that he wanted him in his squad and was not going to let him go, as well as the rest of the dressing room. His signing was a personal bet by Deco, who spent over a year pursuing the incorporation of the 19-year-old Swedish young talent, born in Kuwait, who got ahead of other big European clubs that also had him on their agenda. Yesterday, Saturday, he was registered for LaLiga and will be called up against Valencia.
Bardghji is one of the only three signings that Barcelona made in the past summer transfer window; the other two are Joan García and Marcus Rashford, and his signing was a surprise: because he was an unknown, young player and because he occupies the same position as Lamine Yamal. But Barcelona, specifically Deco, had long been clear about signing him. For a long time. And the Sporting Director did not hesitate to sign the right winger, who started playing for Malmö. When the opportunity arose, the deal with Copenhagen was finalized this summer for two million euros, and when it was confirmed that he had fully recovered from the serious injury, a cruciate ligament rupture, that he suffered in April 2024 and that kept him away from the pitch until last March.
Deco tried to sign him for last season, but just when he was in a meeting with his agents, he suffered a serious knee injury that halted the operation. But the former player closely followed his progress and recovery. He maintained contacts and meetings with his entourage more or less regularly in the last few months. The Sports Director saw in him a great future investment and never stopped reminding his entourage that Barça kept him on their agenda and that they had faith in him. It was a gesture that the Swede also appreciated and that favored his finally signing with the Blaugrana entity this summer for four seasons: until June 2029.
The Swedish U-21 international, who took advantage of Flick's minutes in preseason, made the leap to Copenhagen in the 21-22 season, at just 16 years old. With the Danish club, the left-footed footballer played 84 matches, in which he stood out and amazed all onlookers. And also Deco. In his notebook, the Barcelona executive noted his speed, dribbling talent, ability to go one-on-one, powerful shot, game vision, accurate decision-making with the ball, off-the-ball play...
But to these technical qualities, a marked personality is added. Ambitious, determined and, above all, with great self-confidence, the Swede is clear that he wants to succeed in football and at Barcelona. The serious knee injury did not daunt him, nor did the competition: he knows that his main rival is Lamine Yamal. He tolerates pressure very well and knows what he wants. A clear example were his words a few days ago, when he had not yet been registered in LaLiga. "I don't think I would have signed for Barcelona to play in the youth team. I have played more than 100 games in a first team and I would not have accepted going to a second team. The delay in registration has not affected me because they have had problems with this before," he commented. He had no intention of being part of the reserve team or going on loan. His only bet was Flick's Barcelona. "My great goal has always been to be the best. I want to play in the big leagues and for the biggest teams," he declared a few months ago in SportExpressen.
The footballer, moreover, has adapted very well to the culé kit, achieving a great connection not only with the young players but also with some veterans, such as Koundé or Rashford. Yesterday, Saturday, Roony, who will wear the number 28, was registered in LaLiga and will be available to Hansi Flick for the match on Sunday the 14th against Valencia. Until then, the culés will not be able to enjoy him in an official match, but they can delight in what he is doing with the Swedish under-21 team: against Armenia, he provided an assist and scored a penalty, panenka-style.