Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny has signed for Spanish giants Barcelona after passing a medical on Monday morning.
Szczęsny announced his retirement from professional football at the end of August, but circumstances shifted when Barcelona's first-choice goalkeeper, Marc-André ter Stegen, sustained a season-ending knee injury.
Ter Stegen's absence left Barca with the inexperienced 25-year-old backup Iñaki Peña to fill the void. Peña has only made 20 first appearances in his professional career and has been largely deemed by experts as short of sufficient quality to fill the gloves of Germany’s first-choice keeper.
Barcelona swiftly began searching for an experienced replacement, but their options were limited to out-of-contract players until the transfer window reopens in January. The club felt their season could be derailed if they waited that long.
The 34-year-old, who has been a mainstay in elite European football for years, announced his retirement last month, stating: “Although my body still feels ready for challenges, my heart is not there anymore.”
Public broadcaster Polish Radio reported that Szczęsny will earn around €3 million gross, on a deal that will run until June 2025. His contract is enabled by a La Liga rule allowing clubs to sign players in cases of long-term injuries.
Now, with the league approving the transfer, Szczęsny—who owns a residence in Marbella—has already begun personal training sessions in Spain.
Szczęsny has played 432 senior club games for the likes of Arsenal, Roma, and Juventus. He also won 84 caps for his country, playing at two World Cups and two European Championships.
The Catalonians have started the domestic season in mightily impressive form, winning their first seven La Liga matches. But in their first full match without ter Stegen on Saturday, they lost 4-2 to Osasuna.
Ter Stegen's absence left Barca with the inexperienced 25-year-old backup Iñaki Peña to fill the void. Peña has only made 20 first appearances in his professional career and has been largely deemed by experts as short of sufficient quality to fill the gloves of Germany’s first-choice keeper.
Barcelona swiftly began searching for an experienced replacement, but their options were limited to out-of-contract players until the transfer window reopens in January. The club felt their season could be derailed if they waited that long.
Szczęsny, a close friend of Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, was considered by the club’s hierarchy to fit the bill. The Pole left Italian side Juventus this summer when his contract expired and has subsequently been without a club.¡Szczęsny ya es culer! 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/EwnME3YxCi
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) October 2, 2024
The 34-year-old, who has been a mainstay in elite European football for years, announced his retirement last month, stating: “Although my body still feels ready for challenges, my heart is not there anymore.”
Public broadcaster Polish Radio reported that Szczęsny will earn around €3 million gross, on a deal that will run until June 2025. His contract is enabled by a La Liga rule allowing clubs to sign players in cases of long-term injuries.
Now, with the league approving the transfer, Szczęsny—who owns a residence in Marbella—has already begun personal training sessions in Spain.
Szczęsny has played 432 senior club games for the likes of Arsenal, Roma, and Juventus. He also won 84 caps for his country, playing at two World Cups and two European Championships.
The Catalonians have started the domestic season in mightily impressive form, winning their first seven La Liga matches. But in their first full match without ter Stegen on Saturday, they lost 4-2 to Osasuna.
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