Joan Garcia Transfers to Barcelona from Espanyol for €25 Million

BARCELONA, Spain — Joan Garcia, the 24-year-old goalkeeper from Espanyol, has officially joined FC Barcelona after the club paid his release clause of €25 million. This transfer marks a significant and controversial moment in Spanish football, as it is the first player movement between the two rivals in 31 years.

Garcia, born in Sallent, began his career in the youth teams of Manresa and Damm before moving to Espanyol in 2016. He made his first-team debut in December 2021 and became a key player for the club in the following seasons, especially during their promotion to La Liga and their fight against relegation.

The goalkeeper is expected to sign a six-year contract with Barcelona, which will keep him at the club until 2031. Barcelona has described Garcia as an “irresistible market opportunity” and hopes his arrival will bolster their goalkeeping options, especially amid uncertainty surrounding Marc-André ter Stegen‘s future.

While some fans are frustrated with Garcia’s departure, the player expressed excitement about the move, citing the appeal of Barcelona’s project. “It was a difficult decision, but I felt it was the right time to take this step,” Garcia said after his transfer was confirmed.

Barcelona’s management must now navigate a surplus of goalkeepers, including Ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczesny, while also addressing financial constraints to comply with La Liga’s registration requirements. League president Javier Tebas has emphasized that while the transfer is finalized, registering Garcia may present challenges.

Garcia’s impressive performances last season garnered interest from clubs in the Premier League, but in the end, he chose to remain in Barcelona. The Espanyol community has expressed disappointment over losing a beloved player to their arch-rivals.

Despite the animosity surrounding the transfer, many expect Garcia to compete strongly for a starting position with Barcelona as he transitions into this new chapter in his career.