Marc-André ter Stegen seals season-long loan move to Ajax | OneFootball

Marc-André ter Stegen has completed a season-long loan to Ajax. The Barcelona captain left the Birmingham camp on Friday for Amsterdam to complete his medical, with the move confirmed on Tuesday.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Barcelona will cover 90% of his salary, a share that could fall as he plays more for Ajax.

The terms reflect recent injuries. He had back surgery last summer with Barcelona, then during a loan to Girona last term he played only two matches before surgery on a left hamstring tear.

Now 34, he is fully fit, has trained through pre-season and played the second half of the first friendly against Europa. A loan was long planned, with Hansi Flick keeping Joan Garcia as first choice and Wojciech Szczesny extending for one year.

Neither the player nor Barcelona saw him as a second or third keeper, and his wages complicated matters. Ajax’s finances prevent a larger contribution despite backing from new coach Míchel Sánchez, who worked with him at Girona. Sporting director Jordi Cruyff also knows him from Barcelona.

Talks lingered over the wage split, then over tax differences between the countries. He flew privately from Birmingham before the deal was signed, and completed it on arrival in Amsterdam.

Ajax host Shelbourne of Ireland in the Conference League third qualifying round on Thursday at the Johan Cruyff Arena. They beat Vojvodina Novi Sad of Serbia 4-1 in both legs, and would face the winner of FC Noah of Armenia and FC Sion of Switzerland if they progress.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

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