Key Takeaways:
- Barcelona has obtained authorisation to register Joan García as a backup goalkeeper after Marc-André ter Stegen’s injury was classified as “long-term”
- La Liga confirmed that Ter Stegen’s injury satisfies their four-month minimum absence rule to trigger special registration provisions
- The club will seek to complete García’s registration ahead of their opening fixture against Mallorca on Saturday
Context Behind Goalkeeper Registration
Barcelona has been granted permission to register Joan García as a reserve goalkeeper, following ongoing complications from Marc-André ter Stegen’s back injury. The German international and the club were previously at odds over the duration of his absence, with Ter Stegen contending he would only miss three months after his operation. However, La Liga’s regulations require a player to be ruled out for a minimum of four months before they are considered a long-term absentee — a condition that can allow the club partial salary relief.
FC Barcelona statement
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 13, 2025
La Liga Ruling and Club Announcement
La Liga ultimately agreed that Ter Stegen’s injury meets the threshold for long-term absence for the 33-year-old, enabling the Catalan side to pursue reinforcement for their squad. Barcelona will now look to finalise the registration of Joan García, formerly with Espanyol, ensuring he is available in time for their first fixture of the season against Mallorca on Saturday.
As stated in the official club announcement: “Barcelona announces that the La Liga medical committee has determined that the injury to goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen meets the criteria for long-term absence, as established by the current regulations. Tomorrow, the club will proceed with the immediate official registration of the player Joan García.”
Regulatory Compliance and Strategic Implications
With La Liga’s confirmation, Barcelona will proceed with the rapid completion of García’s registration. The adherence to league policy regarding long-term injuries not only ensures compliance, but also allows the club flexibility in managing their roster ahead of the new campaign. All eyes will now turn to whether García’s addition fortifies Barcelona’s squad depth in the lead-up to their clash with Mallorca.
