Marc-Andre ter Stegen has joined Girona on loan from Barcelona until 30 June 2026, seeking regular minutes after losing the starting role under Hansi Flick in 2025-26.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen is set for a new chapter in his career after Barcelona confirmed on Tuesday that the goalkeeper will spend the remainder of the season at Girona on loan.
The move, agreed between the two Catalan clubs, runs until 30 June 2026 and immediately stands out as one of the most notable domestic loans in Spain, given Ter Stegen’s status, his history at Barcelona, and the profile of the club he is joining.
In a brief statement published across its official channels, Barcelona said it had reached an agreement with Girona for the temporary transfer of the German international. While the announcement focused on the duration of the deal, the broader context makes the decision easier to understand. Ter Stegen has been part of Barcelona’s squad since the 2015-16 campaign and, for long stretches, has been one of the most recognisable figures of the modern era at the club. However, his role has changed significantly this season, with head coach Hans-Dieter Flick opting to make Joan Garcia the first choice.
That shift in the pecking order has had an immediate impact on Ter Stegen’s playing time. He has featured only once in the 2025-26 season, appearing in the Copa del Rey, while Garcia, signed from Espanyol, has been trusted in league and key fixtures. In practical terms, the loan to Girona offers Ter Stegen the one thing he currently cannot guarantee at Barcelona: regular minutes. For a goalkeeper, rhythm and continuity are especially important, and an extended run of matches can be decisive for form, confidence, and sharpness.
From Girona’s perspective, the arrival of a goalkeeper with Ter Stegen’s experience is a major statement. Girona have built a reputation in recent seasons for developing a clear style of play and being bold in recruitment, and this loan further strengthens that image. A goalkeeper of Ter Stegen’s calibre brings more than shot stopping. He offers leadership, high level experience in title races and European competition, and a profile that can influence the defensive structure in front of him. For a side that aims to be competitive domestically and maintain consistency across a demanding calendar, a proven goalkeeper can be a stabilising factor, especially in tight matches where fine margins decide results.
The move also has the feel of a pragmatic solution for all parties. For Barcelona, it removes a difficult situation from the dressing room: having a long serving, high profile goalkeeper on the bench is rarely comfortable, particularly when scrutiny is constant and every selection decision becomes a debate. A loan reduces that tension, allows the club to continue backing Flick’s chosen number one, and ensures that Ter Stegen remains active rather than stagnating on the sidelines. For Ter Stegen, it provides a fresh competitive environment without a permanent rupture, keeping future options open while prioritising what most elite players want: to play.
Ter Stegen himself addressed the departure with a personal message on Instagram, striking an emotional tone and acknowledging the complexity of the moment. “Today is my last day this season with my teammates and the FC Barcelona coaching staff, and honestly I have mixed feelings. Right now, a lot of memories and emotions are coming to mind,” he wrote. The message suggested that, despite the professional logic of the loan, the change is significant on a personal level, particularly given how deeply he has been associated with Barcelona over the last decade.
He also highlighted the pride he feels in his journey at the club and emphasised that his connection to Barcelona remains intact. Ter Stegen said he is “deeply grateful and proud” of his time at the club and added a clear declaration of affection: “I love this club, this city and this country. I carry within me a feeling that will never disappear.” Those words underline that the loan is not framed as a bitter split, but rather as a move that can coexist with appreciation and loyalty, even if circumstances have pushed him towards a temporary exit.
The decision inevitably raises questions about what comes next after the loan ends. If Joan Garcia continues as Flick’s preferred starter and consolidates his position, Ter Stegen could face a difficult choice about his longer term future. On the other hand, a strong spell at Girona could re open the conversation at Barcelona, whether through renewed competition for the starting role or by increasing interest from other clubs. Much will depend on performance, Barcelona’s sporting direction, and how the goalkeeper market develops over the coming months.
For now, the focus shifts to Girona and the immediate challenge of integrating a player who has spent years at one of the biggest clubs in world football into a new environment. Ter Stegen will be expected to contribute quickly, not only with saves but also with his ability to play out from the back, command his area, and organise the defensive unit. Girona, meanwhile, gain a headline addition that can raise standards on the training ground and provide reassurance in the most decisive moments of matches.
In short, this is a loan with clear sporting logic and emotional weight. Barcelona move forward with their new hierarchy in goal, Girona secure a top level reinforcement, and Ter Stegen gets the chance to play regularly again while maintaining a strong bond with the club and city he has called home for years.
