Next chapter in the Marc-André ter Stegen saga: La Liga has now decided that the criteria for a long-term injury have been met for the goalkeeper. This means that the Catalans can finally register Joan Garcia.
The dispute between ter Stegen and FC Barcelona following his back surgery has recently been settled. The German national goalkeeper has signed a medical report from the club after all and has been reinstated as captain of the Catalan club.
Barca needed this signature to report to La Liga’s medical commission. At the same time, the Spanish champions hope to save money due to ter Stegen’s absence so that they can register new signing and ter Stegen’s rival Joan Garcia. Depending on the severity of the injury and the length of his absence (four months or longer), FC Barcelona could use 80 percent of the goalkeeper’s salary for so-called salary fair play purposes.
And that is exactly what happened from the perspective of the Spanish champions and cup winners. On Wednesday evening, the club released an official statement saying: “FC Barcelona hereby announces that La Liga’s medical commission has decided that goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen’s injury meets the criteria for a long-term injury in accordance with the applicable regulations.”
The consequences for Barcelona are clear, the Catalans added: “The club will immediately formalize the registration of player Joan Garcia tomorrow.”
Liga debut beckons for Garcia on Saturday
Barcelona paid a hefty price for their new keeper. Garcia moved from city rivals Espanyol Barcelona to the Blaugrana for €26.3 million. The goalkeeper signed a six-year contract, which was seen at the time as a clear signal to ter Stegen. The future of the Catalan-born player is set to be in the Blaugrana jersey.
Garcia is therefore likely to be between the posts for the league opener on Saturday in Mallorca.
