FC Barcelona Announces Key First Team Contract Renewal

FC Barcelona used a statement sent to members of the press and its official website to announce an expected and key contract renewal of a first team star.

“FC Barcelona and the player Wojciech Szczesny have reached an agreement for the extension his contract which will tie him to the Club until 30 June 2027,” the correspondence began.

“The deal comes after a great season from the goalkeeper following his unexpected arrival to cover the unfortunate long term injury to Marc ter Stegen. Barca needed a ‘keeper and chose Szczesny, who came out of retirement to accept the challenge after having hung up his gloves in the summer. The Pole responded by showing he is still one of the best goalkeepers in European Football,” the club then kindly added.

Everything said here is true, in that Ter Stegen’s pretty much season-ending injury in September against Villarreal forced Barca to coax ex-Juventus and Arsenal shotstopper Szczesny out of retirement.

He had to wait to make his debut under Hansi Flick, which came at the turn of 2025 in a Copa del Rey win against Barbastro.

After Ter Stegen’s stand in Inaki Pena, who had been Flick’s number one, was late for a meeting during the Spanish Super Cup campaign, however, Szczesny took the starting berth and never came back.

Becoming a fan favourite and loved member of the dressing room, ‘Tek’ played an integral role in Barca’s domestic treble-winning season, yet shipping seven goals to Inter Milan in the Champions League semifinals, to lose 7-6 on aggregate, forced Barca to look to the future.

Barca’s pursuit of Espanyol breakout star Joan Garcia then became public and ended with President Joan Laporta and Sporting Director Deco triggering his $29.2 million (€25 million) release clause.

In the future then, which is something communicated by today’s contract extension, Szczesny is expected to be the second choice goalkeeper to Garcia or even the first while the youngster is gradually bedded in.

These developments could spell the end at FC Barcelona for Ter Stegen

In bad news for the German, though, Garcia’s arrival and Szczesny’s renewal is expected to spell the end of the line for Marc-Andre ter Stegen at FC Barcelona. He’s become surplus to requirements, but a contract until mid-2028 means he’s under no obligation to move on.