Barcelona’s New Keeper on Loan as Ter Stegen Heads to Girona for Prague Clash
20 January 2026
Overview
Barcelona are finalizing a loan move for German goalkeeper Andre Ter Stegen to Girona until the end of the season after both clubs agreed. He will not travel with the Barça squad to Prague for the Champions League clash with Slavia Prague as the exit is finalized behind the scenes.
Context and Impact
Diego Kochín will join the trip as the third-choice keeper, with Lamine Yamal suspended and Ferran Torres sidelined by a thigh issue, while long-term injuries keep Gavi and Andreas Christensen out. Rafinha is set to be rested in the Prague game after a knock in the win at Real Sociedad. Barcelona will cover about 90% of Ter Stegen's remaining salary until June 30, with Girona contributing roughly one million euros. The move would give Ter Stegen regular playing time ahead of the World Cup cycle in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and bring him closer to his family in Girona.
Barça's coach had previously signaled that Ter Stegen's future mattered, and Barça has facilitated the process for their long-time captain who arrived in 2014 from Borussia Monchengladbach.
Ter Stegen has appeared 423 times for Barça, ranking among the club's most-used goalkeepers. The 33-year-old's contract runs through 2028, and the club is counting on the promising young Joan Garcia to be ready when needed.
Punchline 1: If loans were goals, Barça just signed a season-long assist. Punchline 2: The goalkeeper carousel keeps spinning, and the ball still hasn’t filed for a restraining order against momentum.
