Barcelona Clear Joan García Registration After Ter Stegen’s Long-Term Injury Listing

Barcelona have announced that LaLiga has officially approved the registration of their new goalkeeper, Joan García, for the 2025/26 season.

The decision comes after captain Marc-André ter Stegen was placed on the league’s long-term injury list, a move that provides significant relief to the Catalan club’s strict salary cap situation.

By having Ter Stegen classified as a long-term absentee, Barcelona can now free up part of their wage budget, allowing them to register García and potentially other players without breaching LaLiga’s financial fair play regulations.

Ter Stegen’s injury situation had been a point of contention in recent weeks. The 33-year-old German goalkeeper underwent lower back surgery in July and publicly stated that his recovery would take approximately three months.

However, Barcelona’s medical staff provided a different assessment, predicting a longer absence. This difference in opinion led to tension, with Ter Stegen initially refusing to sign the official medical report that coach Hansi Flick’s side needed to submit to the league in order to classify him under the long-term injury category.

After continued discussions, the club moved forward with their own medical evaluation, and LaLiga accepted the documentation, clearing the way for García’s registration.

The move not only ensures Flick has additional goalkeeping options for the start of the season but also gives Barcelona breathing space in their wage structure at a time when compliance with financial regulations remains a top priority.

García, who joined the squad this summer, is now expected to feature prominently in the early stages of the campaign while Ter Stegen focuses on his rehabilitation. The German shot-stopper will miss several crucial fixtures, and depending on his recovery progress, could return towards the end of the year or early 2026.