Match practice for the World Cup regular place
Departure almost certain: Ter Stegen turns his back on Barcelona
Updated on January 16, 2026 – 5:21 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The German national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen is apparently on the verge of a change. His new employer is fighting against relegation.
About FC Girona as a regular goalkeeper for the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Marc-André ter Stegen is hoping for this and is reportedly moving from FC Barcelona on loan to Girona in the relegation battle.
Spanish media report that the transfer is close to completion. In this way, the goalkeeper hopes to gain the match practice required by national coach Julian Nagelsmann. Ter Stegen has only appeared once in the cup for Barça this season and has been out for months.
DFB sports director Rudi Völler recently emphasized: “Of course he has to play in the second half of the season.” This is a given in Girona, but at the same time the change also means stability for ter Stegen’s private environment. Since the city is only about 100 kilometers north of Barcelona, he can stay close to his children.
According to Völler, “the rough framework for the World Cup” will be visible as early as March at the international matches against Switzerland and Ghana. This also applies to the goalkeeper position. Ter Stegen couldn’t afford a place on the bench for long.
After Manuel Neuer resigned after the home European Championship in 2024, ter Stegen took over the role as number one in goal. Because he was out for a long time, first with a torn patellar tendon and later with a back injury, Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann took this position.
Girona has the weakest defense in La Liga with 34 goals conceded after 17 games and is currently in 13th place in the table. The relegation zone is only four points away. According to Spanish media reports, Barça is ready to continue covering 90 percent of Ter Stegen’s salary.
