Official: Barcelona complete first signing of the summer | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have officially announced that they have completed the signing of Joan Garcia from RCD Espanyol by paying his €25 million release clause.

The 24-year-old Spanish shot-stopper has signed a six-year contract with the La Liga champions, running until the summer of 2031.

“FC Barcelona has activated the termination clause of player Joan Garcia. The cost of the clause was €25 million plus CPI,” the club statement read.

“This Friday the player will sign a contract with Barça for the next six seasons, until June 30, 2031, in a private ceremony at the FC Barcelona offices.”

Having returned from his vacation earlier this week, Garcia first announced his departure from Espanyol this morning before Barcelona made his signing official.

One of the best goalkeepers in La Liga this past season, Garcia was Espanyol’s most impressive player and almost single-handedly ensured their safety from relegation.

Given his quality and the affordable release clause amount, Barcelona acted quickly to secure an agreement with the player before depositing his release clause amount.

The 24-year-old Spaniard becomes the Catalans’ first signing of the summer, making the switch from their bitter rivals across town.

Barcelona made the payment of the release clause to La Liga through the player’s agents on Friday but had to wait until this week for all the bureaucratic procedures to be completed before the league gave the green light for the transfer.

Garcia is expected to take over the mantle of Barça’s No. 1 once he arrives, replacing captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is staring at an uncertain future at the club.