Ter Stegen trains with Girona on loan

Marc-André ter Stegen has started training with Girona after joining the club on loan from Barcelona, a move slated to run through the end of the season. The 33-year-old Germany international, who became Barcelona’s first-choice goalkeeper after signing in 2014, ceded his starting spot to Joan García and seeks regular playing time ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Both clubs confirmed the loan before he took part in his first sessions with Girona, where coaches emphasized goalkeeping fundamentals, distribution work and integration into the team’s possession-oriented approach.

Girona also introduced new signing Fran Beltrán, who arrived from Celta de Vigo and signed a contract through June 2030. The addition of ter Stegen is seen by the club as a significant upgrade in experience and leadership for its defensive unit. Coaching staff are conducting fitness assessments and tactical briefings to determine how quickly he will be included in matchday squads; his debut will depend on those evaluations and the team’s tactical needs.

For Barcelona, the temporary move provides a pathway for ter Stegen to regain match sharpness while relieving short-term squad pressures. Club officials described the arrangement as a loan designed to preserve the goalkeeper’s competitive level without closing the door on future plans at Barcelona, which will be revisited based on performances and evolving squad dynamics. The move also offers a pragmatic response to Barcelona’s goalkeeping hierarchy and broader roster management amid financial and sporting constraints.

Ter Stegen’s loan has drawn attention from German national team staff, who regard regular club minutes as crucial ahead of international tournaments. Observers expect his playing time at Girona to influence selection considerations. Girona’s ambition to remain competitive domestically—and potentially in European competition—frames the signing as a statement of intent: recruiting a goalkeeper of ter Stegen’s pedigree enhances credibility and provides a high-level option between the posts.

Fans and pundits have reacted positively to the transfer, viewing it as a notable coup for Girona and a pragmatic step for ter Stegen’s career. Integration will be gradual, balancing his adaptation to new teammates and the coaching staff’s tactical plans. The loan highlights broader trends in Spanish football, where top clubs manage elite talent amid shifting priorities, and sets up a closely watched period for both the player and the clubs involved.