Girona have completed an unexpected deal with Barcelona, securing a high-profile reinforcement until the end of the La Liga season.
Germany international Marc-Andre Ter Stegen has joined Girona after falling behind Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny in the pecking order at Barca.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon the 33-year-old stopper needs to play regularly to make his case to start for Germany at the tournament.
“Today is my last day this season with my team-mates and the staff at Barcelona, and I truly have mixed feelings,” wrote Ter Stegen on Instagram.
“So many memories and emotions are running through me right now. For nearly 12 years this club and especially this locker room, has been my home.”
Barca coach Hansi Flick had confirmed the news earlier in a news conference ahead of the team’s Champions League clash at Slavia Prague on Wednesday.
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“This morning Marc said that he is going to Girona,” said Flick.
“I think Marc is a fantastic goalkeeper. We decided (to go a) different (way) for the future for the club and I think it was the right decision. But I wish him all the best because he is a fantastic goalkeeper.
“Maybe we see him in the German national team in the World Cup. (My) fingers are crossed for this and I think he has good chances.”
Ter Stegen, who joined Barca from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2014, has won six La Liga titles with Barca and the Champions League once, among other silverware.
The goalkeeper missed much of last season with a severe knee injury, leading to Barca bringing Szczesny out of retirement to take his place.
Another injury kept Ter Stegen out of action for much of the current campaign, in which he has made only one appearance.
Ter Stegen did not travel to Prague, where Barca are aiming to secure a top eight finish in the league phase of the Champions League.
They are also without the suspended Lamine Yamal for Wednesday’s match, which will take place in sub-zero conditions.
“The good thing is that (the players) have to run because it’s warmer,” joked Flick.
Barca’s 11-game winning run came to an end with a defeat at Real Sociedad in La Liga on Sunday.
Flick said it could make his team improve, particularly in their finishing.
“We played on the highest level and this is what I want to see, it was better to lose (like) this instead of showing a bad performance,” added Flick.
“I think this could give us a little bit more confidence to believe in what we are doing… but I think we have to be more (accurate) in front of goal, this is what I want to see from the team.”
– AFP
Photo: Flor Tan Jun/Getty Images
