GIRONA, Spain (AP) — For the first time in 12 years, Marc-André ter Stegen is set to represent a club other than Barcelona as he heads to Girona on loan for the rest of the season.
Ter Stegen's move could boost his chances of being Germany's starting goalkeeper at the World Cup after injuries restricted him to just a handful of games in the last 15 months.
He's played only once for Barcelona this season and that was against third-division Guadalajara in the Copa del Rey last month, as coach Hansi Flick opts to continue with Joan García as his first-choice goalkeeper.
The move to Girona is the latest twist in a season that began with the 33-year-old ter Stegen in a standoff with Barcelona over a medical report which the club needed him to sign in order to free up salary cap space.
Ter Stegen has been with Barcelona since joining from his boyhood German club Borussia Moenchengladbach in 2014. He's won the Spanish league title six times with Barcelona and the Champions League once.
He's likely to start ahead of Argentine goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga at Girona.
While ter Stegen was out injured, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann started Oliver Baumann in all of Germany's last six games as the team qualified for the World Cup. Baumann's had a strong season at club level, captaining Hoffenheim to a surprise third place so far in the Bundesliga.
It won't be the first time that the World Cup has played a role in Girona's goalkeeping situation this season. Last month, coach Michel said backup Dominik Livakovic had refused to play and wanted to leave for another club to get more guaranteed playing time to represent Croatia at the World Cup.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
What the Constitution Means to Me Read moreWhat The Constitution Means To Me
You're invited to our Sale Like a Celebrity event, hosted by Expedia Cruises. Join us at Rou… Read moreCelebrity Cruises Special Event
Join us for community fun! Free antique and collectible appraisals by Clars Auction. Over 30… Read moreMillbrae Senior Showcase
Kick off 2026 with movement, confidence, and FUN! Join us for our Last Chance to Dance Studi… Read moreLast Chance to Dance Open House- Free Dance Demos, Food, Face Painting & More!
Join the Belmont Parks and Recreation Department as we host our annual Sweetheart Dance for … Read moreSweetheart Dance
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.