Girona Nears Loan Deal for Barcelona’s Ter Stegen

Girona is approaching the completion of a loan agreement for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, as confirmed by sources to ESPN on Friday. This arrangement is expected to last until the end of the season.

At 33 years old, Ter Stegen has recently been replaced as Barcelona’s number one goalkeeper by Joan García, prompting him to seek consistent playing time to secure his spot on Germany’s squad for the upcoming World Cup.

Both clubs are currently finalizing the details of the loan, including the division of Ter Stegen’s salary. Nonetheless, the player has indicated his approval for the transfer to fellow LaLiga side Girona.

A significant factor influencing Ter Stegen’s decision was his recent placement on the bench during Barcelona’s Copa del Rey victory against Racing Santander, despite starting in the previous match against Guadalajara. Additionally, Girona’s proximity to Barcelona, located just 100 kilometers (62 miles) north, offers Ter Stegen the advantage of remaining close to his children.

Coach Hansi Flick has affirmed that García, a €25 million ($29 million) summer acquisition from Espanyol, is the first-choice goalkeeper for the club. With Wojciech Szczęsny also in the squad, reports from ESPN earlier this month indicated that Barcelona had opened the possibility for Ter Stegen, whose contract extends until 2028, to leave during the January transfer window.

Since joining Barcelona from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2014, Ter Stegen has made 423 appearances and won 17 trophies. However, injuries have limited his playtime since Flick’s appointment in 2024, including a significant knee injury last season and back surgery that sidelined him for the initial four months of the current campaign.