Barcelona has officially announced the signing of goalkeeper Joan García from cross-city rivals Espanyol in a significant €25 million ($28.5m) deal. The 24-year-old goalkeeper has penned a long-term contract with Barça, committing until 2031. This transfer marks a notable acquisition for the Spanish champions, further bolstering their goalkeeping ranks.
Joan García Completes High-Profile Move to Barcelona from Rivals Espanyol
Barcelona has officially announced the signing of goalkeeper Joan García from cross-city rivals Espanyol in a significant €25 million ($28.5m) deal. The 24-year-old goalkeeper has penned a long-term contract with Barça, committing until 2031. This transfer marks a notable acquisition for the Spanish champions, further bolstering their goalkeeping ranks.
Transfer Details and Context
Espanyol, while preferring not to lose García to their local rivals, had little recourse to prevent the move, as the €25 million fee met the release clause embedded in the goalkeeper’s contract. García’s signing is particularly noteworthy as he becomes the first Espanyol player to move directly to Barcelona since Igor Korneev in 1994.
There was considerable interest in García from England, with several Premier League clubs including Manchester City, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth reportedly linked with the player at various points. However, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola’s public statements affirming satisfaction with his current goalkeepers, Éderson and Stefan Ortega, seemingly cleared the path for Barcelona to finalize the signing.
Impact on Barcelona’s Goalkeeping Squad
García’s arrival is expected to create a dynamic shift within Barcelona’s goalkeeping department. The squad already includes established names like Marc-André ter Stegen, Wojciech Szczęsny, and Iñaki Peña.
Marc-André ter Stegen, 33, has been Barcelona’s primary goalkeeper for the past decade but faced a season largely sidelined by injury, making only two appearances towards the end of the campaign. Despite García’s arrival, the Germany international has maintained his intention to remain at Barça beyond the summer.
Wojciech Szczęsny, who came out of retirement in October to join Barcelona after Ter Stegen’s knee injury, is currently weighing an offer to extend his contract, which is set to expire at the end of June. Meanwhile, Iñaki Peña, a 26-year-old youth team graduate, is anticipated to depart this summer in pursuit of consistent first-team action.
Joan García’s Journey at Espanyol
Born in Catalonia, Joan García joined Espanyol in 2016 and meticulously progressed through the club’s academy ranks. He made his first-team debut in 2021. García played a pivotal role in Espanyol’s successful promotion to LaLiga in 2024. In the most recent season, he featured in all 38 league games, helping his side secure survival on the final day. His performances garnered widespread praise, including a notable clean sheet in a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in February.
His former teammate, Wojciech Szczęsny, lauded García’s talent last month after Barcelona clinched the LaLiga title, stating, “He is one of the best goalkeepers right now, not just in Spain but across Europe”.
A Heartfelt Farewell
García announced his departure from Espanyol in an emotional Instagram video, which preceded the official confirmation of his transfer to Barcelona. He limited comments on his farewell post, expressing the difficulty of the decision.
In his statement, García reflected on his time at Espanyol, which had been his home since he was 15 years old. He emphasized his unwavering commitment, stating, “I have always given everything I had to help the team and represented the badge with the utmost respect and commitment”. Acknowledging the sensitive nature of moving to a cross-city rival, he added, “I know it won’t be easy for many to understand this decision, nor do I expect people to, but I want you to know it was a decision I put a lot of thought to, not just thinking about my career, but also about the best for the club, my family and me”. He concluded his message with gratitude and excitement for his new challenge, while respecting his past.
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