After saying his farewells to Barcelona teammates on Monday morning, Marc-André ter Stegen has officially completed a loan move to Girona for the remainder of the season.

The German goalkeeper sought regular playing time to maintain his position as Germany’s first-choice ahead of the World Cup. At Barcelona, Ter Stegen had lost his starting role following the rise of Joan García and the club’s reliance on Wojciech Szczesny. With few alternatives, a temporary departure became necessary.

Weeks of negotiations preceded the move. Despite initial hesitations about joining a side battling relegation, the prospect of preparing for the major summer tournament ultimately convinced Ter Stegen to accept the loan deal.

Girona highlighted the qualities that make the goalkeeper a key addition to their squad:

“Ter Stegen is a modern, well-rounded goalkeeper with excellent adaptability to different playing styles. He stands out for his composure and footwork, vital for teams that build from the back, as well as his quick reflexes in close-range situations. His strong positioning, aerial reliability, and tactical awareness allow him to anticipate opposition attacks. His leadership and personality are also invaluable in organizing and instilling confidence in the defense.”

Barcelona paid tribute to their former captain, noting that Ter Stegen “guarded the Barca goal for 11 and a half seasons,” making 423 appearances—the second-most by a goalkeeper in the club’s history, behind Víctor Valdés. During his tenure, he helped the club secure six La Liga titles, six Copas del Rey, one UEFA Champions League trophy, five Spanish Super Cups, one UEFA Super Cup, and an Intercontinental Cup.

However, Barcelona will continue to shoulder a significant portion of Ter Stegen’s salary, meaning the move provides only a modest reduction to their wage bill for the rest of the season.