FC Barcelona have completed the signing of Joan García from city rivals Espanyol after paying his €25 million release clause. The payment was made directly to La Liga on Friday, and the deal is now pending final approval from the league before becoming official.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper has agreed to a six-year contract with Barcelona that will run until 2031. While the financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, reports suggest the extended contract offers both sporting and economic benefits for Barça.
García’s move marks the end of an intense transfer saga and adds a controversial twist due to the fierce rivalry between Barcelona and Espanyol. A Catalonia native, García joined Espanyol’s academy in 2016 and rose through the ranks to become their first-choice goalkeeper. He played a vital role in helping the club secure promotion to La Liga in 2024 and maintain their top-flight status this past season.
The decision to join Barcelona has been met with disappointment by Espanyol fans. Despite the backlash, García reportedly wants to part on respectful terms and is expected to release a farewell message before the move is officially announced.
His arrival at Camp Nou adds uncertainty to Barcelona’s goalkeeping hierarchy. The club already has Marc-André ter Stegen, Wojciech Szczęsny, and Iñaki Peña on the books. While Peña is expected to leave this summer, Szczęsny is in talks to renew his contract. Ter Stegen’s future is now under the spotlight, especially with García set to become the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Ter Stegen, who is Germany’s expected starter at the 2026 World Cup, is keen to remain a regular starter at club level. While he is reportedly happy at Barcelona, there is speculation the club could consider selling him to balance the squad and reduce the wage bill.
García’s move to Barcelona had also attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester City, and Aston Villa. However, the Blaugrana moved swiftly to secure his signature, reportedly completing the paperwork before the end of June.
The goalkeeper is expected to join Barcelona’s pre-season preparations under new head coach Hansi Flick on July 13. For now, the official club announcement is expected once La Liga validates the release clause payment.
