Barcelona Sign Goalkeeper Garcia on Six-Year Deal
Barcelona Secure Goalkeeper Joan Garcia in €25m Deal from Espanyol
Barcelona have completed the signing of Spanish goalkeeper Joan Garcia from city rivals Espanyol, activating his €25 million (£21.3m) release clause to secure the highly rated 24-year-old on a six-year contract.
The deal will become official on Friday, as Garcia joins the La Liga champions ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Garcia, who had attracted interest from Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester United, ultimately chose to remain in Spain and continue his development in familiar surroundings.
Since making his senior debut for Espanyol in 2021, Garcia has made 67 appearances, emerging as one of the most promising young keepers in La Liga.
He was instrumental in Espanyol’s promotion campaign during the 2023–24 season, and his shot-stopping heroics—146 saves, the most in La Liga—were vital in keeping the club in the top flight last season.
Though Garcia is yet to make his senior debut for Spain, he has represented the national team at various youth levels and was part of the squad that won Olympic gold in Paris last summer.
Barcelona’s move to sign Garcia comes as part of a strategic effort to strengthen their goalkeeping options and provide long-term competition for Marc-André ter Stegen, who missed much of last season due to a serious knee injury (ruptured patella tendon).
In Ter Stegen’s absence, Wojciech Szczesny, formerly of Arsenal, came out of retirement to fill the void.
The 35-year-old veteran made 30 appearances across all competitions and helped the Catalan giants clinch the La Liga title.
However, his short-term contract is set to expire at the end of June and is not expected to be renewed.
Garcia’s arrival marks the beginning of a generational shift in Barcelona’s goalkeeping department, with the club viewing him as a potential long-term successor to Ter Stegen.
Barcelona Sign Goalkeeper Garcia on Six-Year Deal