Barcelona Signs Rashford and García Before Season Opener Against Mallorca

BARCELONA, Spain — FC Barcelona successfully registered forward Marcus Rashford and goalkeeper Joan García in LaLiga EA Sports just hours before their season opener against Mallorca on Saturday.

The last-minute signings were confirmed early Saturday morning, ensuring that coach Hansi Flick has both players available for the match at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix. Rashford, who joined from Manchester United, adds crucial strength to the attack, particularly given the absence of star striker Robert Lewandowski due to a hamstring injury.

“This is a situation that does not make me happy,” Flick admitted during a press conference regarding the uncertainty surrounding the roster. However, he expressed confidence that the club would find solutions in time.

Joan García’s registration comes after the medical committee confirmed that Marc-André ter Stegen would be sidelined for at least four months with a long-term injury. Barcelona was able to free up salary cap space through the contract of Ter Stegen, allowing them to bring García into the fold. García is expected to start in goal against Mallorca.

The club also secured a €7 million guarantee from the board that allowed for Rashford’s registration to be finalized, following an earlier approval from LaLiga. With several players not registered in time, Barcelona is still navigating tough financial challenges.

In their triumphant preseason, the Catalan side secured strong victories but will need to adapt without Lewandowski. Playing against a competitive Mallorca side, Flick is likely to try new combinations to maintain their league success.

Despite registration issues for other players like Wojciech Szczesny and Gerard Martín, Barcelona’s roster is bolstered by several promising young players from their academy. The team is keen to defend their title after securing consecutive league victories in the past.