Ter Stegen joins Ajax on loan from Barcelona for one season

German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen is set to play for Ajax on a season-long loan from FC Barcelona, with the deal running until June 30, 2027. The announcement came from FC Barcelona on Tuesday.

Negotiations between the 34-year-old German international, whose contract with Barcelona extends to 2028, and Ajax had been ongoing for weeks. A sticking point in the deal was reportedly an agreement on the fiscal obligations the player would need to assume in his new role.

Ter Stegen reportedly bid farewell to his teammates and Hansi Flick's coaching staff last Friday before departing Barcelona's training camp in England and flying to Amsterdam. This move marks his second loan spell under Spanish coach Míchel Sánchez, who previously brought him to Girona during the winter transfer window.

However, Ter Stegen's stint at Girona was hampered by injuries, limiting him to just two appearances. These recurring physical issues have impacted his performance in recent seasons. Despite these challenges, he boasts an impressive career record with Barcelona, including 21 titles and 423 appearances, making him the second-most capped foreign player for the club, behind only Lionel Messi.

In Amsterdam, Ter Stegen will reunite with Jordi Cruyff, Ajax's current sporting director, with whom he previously worked at Camp Nou. Cruyff welcomed the signing, stating, "Marc has an exceptional career and his qualities are widely recognized. He joins our squad immediately. We know each other well and I look forward to working with him again. We have been working for some time to bring him here, so we are very happy that he has signed his contract and can start playing."

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Marc has an exceptional career and his qualities are widely recognized. He joins our squad immediately. We know each other well and I look forward to working with him again. We have been working for some time to bring him here, so we are very happy that he has signed his contract and can start playing.