Barcelona sign Espanyol keeper Garcia

Barcelona has officially signed goalkeeper Joan Garcia from local rivals Espanyol, finalizing the transfer. The deal, which will keep Garcia at the Camp Nou until 2031, involved activating his €25 million release clause, slightly adjusted for inflation.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper had a standout season in LaLiga, making 146 saves—the highest in the league—and playing every minute of the campaign. His exceptional performances earned him consecutive Save of the Month awards and a place in the Team of the Season. Garcia, who has been with Espanyol since age 15, became their undisputed first-choice keeper during the 2024-25 season.

In his first comments as a Barcelona player, Garcia expressed excitement about joining the club, describing the project as “ilusionante” and praising its youthful squad. He aims to contribute to the team's success and characterized himself as brave, quick-reflexed, and strong in the air.

Garcia's arrival adds significant depth to Barcelona's goalkeeping options, which currently include Marc-André ter Stegen, who missed much of the last season due to knee surgery, and Wojciech Szczesny, who was brought out of retirement to support the team during their domestic treble-winning campaign. The uncertainty surrounding Ter Stegen's future has raised questions about financial adjustments needed to register Garcia under La Liga's salary cap rules.

This signing represents Barcelona's first move under new coach Hansi Flick, indicating a strategic plan to strengthen their goalkeeping lineup with local talent. The transfer has elicited mixed reactions from Espanyol fans, who viewed Garcia as a crucial player in their survival efforts. His departure marks a significant change for the club as they navigate the upcoming season.