Confirmed: Ajax sign Barcelona captain Ter Stegen on loan | OneFootball

After weeks of speculations and delays, AFC Ajax have announced the signing of FC Barcelona captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen on a season-long loan deal.

“Ajax has reached an agreement with FC Barcelona and Marc ter Stegen. The 34-year-old goalkeeper joins the club on a season-long loan from the Spanish side,” their statement read.

Barcelona, too, have confirmed the loan departure of the veteran goalkeeper.

A new chapter

Ter Stegen has been out of favour at Barcelona since last season, following the signing of Joan Garcia as the new No. 1 for Hansi Flick.

The German international left the club on loan in January, signing for Girona, but could only two matches before an injury ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.

Having returned to Barcelona over the summer, Ter Stegen started pre-season under Flick while trying to secure a move away.

An agreement with Ajax had been reached for a while now, with the goalkeeper reuniting with former Girona manager Michel.

But there were delays in the move going through due to tax-related issues. Ultimately, though, a breakthrough was achieved last week, when Ter Stegen was in England with the rest of the Barcelona squad on their pre-season camp.

Loan departure confirmed. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Ter Stegen flew to Amsterdam on Friday, and completed his medicals on Saturday, with the transfer now finally being announced.

Welcoming the German to the club, Ajax director Jordi Cruyff, formerly of Barcelona, said:

“Marc has an outstanding track record, and his qualities are widely recognized. He is an immediate addition to our squad. Marc and I know each other well, and I’m looking forward to working with him again.

“We have been working on bringing him here for quite some time, so we’re very pleased that he has signed his contract and can now get started.”

Ajax will bear only a small share of the salary, with Barcelona carrying the majority of his wages for the season.