Mercato/Barcelona sign Espanyol keeper Joan Garcia in €25m deal
Barcelona have secured Spanish goalkeeper Joan Garcia from city rivals Espanyol after activating his €25m (£21.3m) release clause. The 24-year-old, who signed a six-year contract, will officially join the La Liga champions on Friday.
Garcia, linked with Arsenal and Manchester United, chose to stay in Spain following an impressive season where his 146 saves – the most in La Liga – were crucial in Espanyol’s survival. Since his 2021 debut, he made 67 appearances and helped secure promotion in 2023-24.
An Olympic gold medalist with Spain’s U23 team in Paris 2024, Garcia now provides competition for Marc-André ter Stegen, who missed much of last season with a knee injury.
Veteran Wojciech Szczęsny, who filled in post-retirement, departs after his short-term deal expires.
Barcelona’s move signals their intent to strengthen squad depth while investing in domestic talent. Garcia’s arrival adds security between the posts as the club prepares for next season’s challenges.
