Barcelona have signed goalkeeper Joan García from rivals Espanyol in a €25 million ($28.5m) deal, the Spanish champions introduced.
García, 24, has signed a contract till 2031 with Barça and arrives to additional strengthen a place which incorporates Marc-André ter Stegen, Wojciech Szczęsny and Iñaki Peña.
Espanyol would have most popular to not lose García to their cross-city rivals however may do little to stop the deal because the €25m payment represents the discharge clause written into the goalkeeper’s contract.
There had additionally been curiosity from England, with Premier League golf equipment Manchester Metropolis, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Bournemouth all linked at numerous factors.
Nonetheless, Metropolis coach Pep Guardiola’s admission that they have been proud of the 2 goalkeepers they’ve, Éderson and Stefan Ortega, appeared to pave the way in which for Barça to finish the signing of García.
It stays to be seen how García’s arrival will shake up the goalkeeper place at Barça.
Ter Stegen, 33, has been the membership’s No. 1 for the final decade however missed a lot of the previous season on account of harm and returned to make two appearances on the finish of the marketing campaign.
The Germany worldwide has insisted he’ll stay with Barça past the summer time regardless of the signing of García.
In the meantime, Szczęsny, who got here out of retirement to signal for Barça final October when Ter Stegen injured his knee, continues to weigh up a proposal to increase his contract, which expires on the finish of June.
As for Peña, the youth staff graduate, now 26, is anticipated to depart this summer time looking for common first staff soccer.
García, born in Catalonia, joined Espanyol in 2016 and progressed by the membership’s academy, finally making his first staff debut in 2021.
He helped Espanyol win promotion to LaLiga in 2024 and featured in all 38 league video games this season as his facet secured survival on the ultimate day, incomes rave evaluations for a few of his performances alongside the way in which, together with a 1-0 win over Actual Madrid in February.
“I need to congratulate Joan García for the season he has had,” Szczęsny stated final month after Barça clinched the LaLiga title with a 2-0 win over Espanyol at RCDE Stadium.
“He is without doubt one of the greatest goalkeepers proper now, not simply in Spain however throughout Europe.”
García, who turns into the primary Espanyol participant to maneuver on to Barça since Igor Korneev in 1994, restricted the feedback on his farewell put up on Instagram.
“It’s time to say goodbye to the membership that has been my house since I used to be 15 years previous,” he stated.
“I’ve all the time given every thing I had to assist the staff and represenedt the badge with the utmost respect and dedication.
“I do know it will not be straightforward for a lot of to grasp this resolution, nor do I anticipate individuals to, however I need you to realize it was a call I put plenty of thought to, not simply serious about my profession, but in addition about one of the best for the membership, my household and me.
“I go away with a coronary heart filled with gratitude. Now a brand new problem begins, which I am going into with an enormous quantity of pleasure, but in addition with respect for every thing I go away behind.”
